New Insights into Developmental Neurotoxicants and the Vulnerable Male Brain
The prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs), including autism spectrum disorder, attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder, tic disorder, obsessive‑compulsive disorder, and emotional disturbances, has increased notably in the past few decades with increased widespread exposure to and bioaccumulation of chemical neurotoxicants. One consistent aspect of NDs is the male preponderance. This presentation will consider the issue of male preponderance by reviewing the gender‑specific neurotoxic effects of recognized neurotoxicant chemicals to assess their possible etiology in NDs. This presentation will also examine newly emerging evidence as to why male brains are more sensitive than female brains, including: (1) greater glutathione availability in females; (2) greater sulfate‑based detoxification capacity in females; (3) potentiating effects of co‑exposure to neurotoxicants and testosterone; (4) greater neuroinflammatory response in males; (5) reduced vulnerability to oxidative stress in females; and (6) neuroprotective effects of female hormones (estrogen and progesterone), especially in the reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Mark R Geier, MD, PhD, FACE
Mark Geier received a MD and PhD in genetics from the George Washington University and he is a Fellow of the American of Epidemiology. Dr. Geier was previously in the clinical practice of medicine for over 30 years, a research scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 10 years, an assistant professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and an assistant research professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Uniformed School of the Health Sciences. Dr. Geier has published nearly 200 peer-reviewed studies in academic journals and medical textbook chapters, and he has made presentations at numerous academic conferences around the world, including being an invited speaker to address the Institute of Medicine of the US National Academy of Sciences and the Government Reform Committee of the US House of Representatives. Dr. Geier was an accredited participant in treaty negotiations by the United Nations Environmental Program to develop the Minamata Convention on worldwide mercury regulations. Dr. Geier is currently the co-director and co-founder of the non-profit 501(c)3 Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc.
David A Geier
David Geier received a BA in Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and undertook graduate studies at the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the National Institutes of Health and at the George Washington University. Mr. Geier has published more than 100 peer-reviewed studies in academic journals and medical textbook chapters, and he has made presentations at numerous academic conferences and symposium around the world, including being an invited speaker to address the Institute of Medicine of the US National Academy of Sciences. Mr. Geier was an accredited participant in treaty negotiations by the United Nations Environmental Program to develop the Minamata Convention on worldwide mercury regulations. Mr. Geier is currently the co-director and co-founder of the non-profit 501(c)3 Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc.
