Impact of inhaled particulates and toxicants on brain health: inflammation mechanisms and behavioral consequences

The field of environmental health has increasingly focused on the impact of airborne toxicants and particulate matter on brain health and behavior. Recent studies have highlighted the pervasive presence of toxicants such as pesticides, solvents, and gaseous emissions, alongside particulate matter from sources including automobile emissions, industrial activities, and wildfires. These pollutants, notably particulate matter (PM) and ultrafine particles (UFPs), have garnered attention due to their ability to penetrate the central nervous system through various routes, including the olfactory system and respiratory pathways. Once in the brain, these substances can initiate profound and long-lasting effects on the brain, disrupting neurotransmitter systems, inducing neuroinflammation, and causing oxidative stress, impacting cognition, mood, and behavior.

Despite growing evidence of these effects, there remains a significant gap in understanding the precise mechanisms by which these toxicants and particulates affect brain physiology and behavior.
Current research is actively exploring these pathways, yet comprehensive insights into their long-term impacts and potential interventions are still needed.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the effects of inhaled environmental toxicants and particulate matter on nervous system physiology and their subsequent impact on brain health and behavior. The objective is to compile a collection of original research articles, reviews, and opinion pieces that delve into the mechanisms underlying these environmental influences on brain function. By addressing these questions, the research seeks to uncover the pathways through which toxicants and particulate matter alter brain physiology, cognition, mood, and behavior.
Ultimately, the goal is to inform the development of innovative public health and therapeutic strategies to safeguard brain health and enhance overall well-being in the face of these environmental challenges.

To gather further insights into the effects of inhaled toxicants and particulate matter on brain health and behavior, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

· In vivo studies performed on animal models, such as rodents and non-human primates.
· In vitro studies elucidating cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in oxidative stress and neuroinflammation due to exposure to toxicants and air pollution.
· Human studies using psychophysical assessments, neuroimaging techniques, or electrophysiological recordings to examine the effects of toxicant exposure on olfactory processing and their correlation with behavior and brain activity.
· Studies focusing on prenatal, neonatal, or perinatal exposures to fine, micro, and nano-plastic particles.
· Development and use of innovative techniques, such as chemogenetics or sensory-specific gene expression profiling.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: PM, brain, neuroinflammation, airborne toxicants, mood, behavior, cancer, lung

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.