Our brains, the ultimate product of millions of years of evolution, are what make us human. But over the past few decades, scientists have discovered that many chemicals in our environment threaten the integrity of our brains. Thousands more have never been studied for their effects. We know some of the outcomes: reduced intelligence and cognitive function, increased antisocial tendencies, impaired senory and motor function, and elevated risks of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

      Most of these chemicals are ubiquitous and persistent. We are exposed throughout our lifetimes. But some periods of life are more vulnerable than others. Early development is an especially perilous time for exposure to toxic chemicals. The brain is exquisitely sensitive during this period because of the many paths by which it expands and differentiates on the path to maturity. Cells divide and proliferate; they migrate to specific target areas; they grow connections to other cells to form massive neural networks; neurotransmitter systems take root. All these processes are candidates for interference by toxic chemicals. All are reflected in neurobehavioral outcomes that can be measured when organisms mature to a stage at which they can be tested by procedures that are sensitive to such interference. Late in life, we enter another period of enhanced vulnerability. We are not as able as during earlier periods to compensate for toxic processes and many of our organ systems operate at diminished capacity. It is also a period when these reduced capacities may begin to reflect the damage inflicted earlier in life.

      My own research aims to relate behavioral measures to neurotoxicant exposure. Behavioral research occupies a special role in safety assessment because it offers the ability to trace changes in function as organisms mature and age. Among the endpoints of salient interest to regulatory agencies such as EPA and to chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers are learning capacity, other aspects of cognitive capacity, motor and sensory performance, and differences between males and females.

      My efforts have spanned a variety of agents: metals such as mercury and manganese; solvents such as toluene and methanol; air pollutants such as ozone; adventitious contaminants such as dioxin; and endocrine disruptors, which include common ingredients in consumer products such as phthalates. Complete CV

Weiss B. The first 83 and the next 83: Perspectives on neurotoxicology, Neurotoxicology (2009), doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2009.01.008

Larsson M, Weiss B, Janson S, Sundell J, and Bornehag C-J. Associations between indoor environmental factors and parental-reported autistic spectrum disorders in children 6Ð8 years of age, Neurotoxicology (2009), doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2009.01.011

Weiss B. (2008) Chemobrain: A translational challenge for neurotoxicology. Neurotoxicology, 29, 891-898.

Weiss B, Cory-Slechta D, Gilbert SG, Mergler D, Miller E, Miller C, Newland MC, Rice D, Schettler T. The new tapestry of risk assessment, Neurotoxicology, 29, 883-890.

Zareba G, Cernichiari E, Hojo R, Nitt SM, Weiss B, Mumtaz MM, Jones DE, Clarkson TW. 2007. Thimerosal distribution and metabolism in neonatal mice: comparison with methyl mercury. J Appl Toxicol. 27:511-518.

Weiss B. Why Methylmercury Remains a Conundrum 50 Years After Minamata. Toxicological Sciences, 97:223-225.

Weiss B. 2007. Can endocrine disruptors influence neuroplasticity in the aging brain? Neurotoxicology, 28:938-950. ]

Davidson PW, Myers GJ, Weiss B, Shamlaye CF, Cox C. 2006. Prenatal methyl mercury exposure from fish consumption and child development: A review of evidence and perspectives from the Seychelles Child Development Study. Neurotoxicology, Dec;27(6):1106-1109.

Davidson PW, Weiss B, Beck C, Cory-Slechta DA, Orlando M, Loiselle D, Carter EY, Sloane-Reeves J, Myers GJ. 2006. Development and validation of a test battery to assess subtle neurodevelopmental differences in children. Neurotoxicology, Dec;27(6):951-969.

Gilbert SG, Weiss, B. 2006. A rationale for lowering the blood lead action level. from 10 to 2 mg/dL. Neurotoxicology 27:693-701.

Weiss B, Bellinger DC. 2006. Social Ecology Of Children’s Vulnerability To Environmental Pollutants. Environmental Health Perspectives. 114:1479-1485.

Weiss B. 2006. Methylmercury: a model neurotoxicant and risk assessment dilemma. In Bellinger DC (ed). Human Developmental Neurotoxicology. New York: Taylor and Francis. 1-23.

Weiss B. 2006. Economic Implications of Manganese Neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology. 27:362-368.

Weiss B. 2006. Endocrine disruptors as a factor in mental retardation. In: Davidson PE, Myers CJ, Weiss B (eds.) Neurotoxicity and Developmental Disabilities. Academic Press, 2004, 195-223.

Hojo R, Zareba G, Kai JW, Baggs RB, Weiss B. 2005. Sex-specific alterations of cerebral cortical cell size in rats exposed prenatally to dioxin. J Appl Toxicol. Jan-Feb;26(1):25-34.

Koger SM, Schettler T, and Weiss B. 2005. Environmental toxicants and developmental disabilities: a challenge for psychologists. Am Psychol. Apr;60(3):243-255.

Brownawell AM, Berent S, Brent RL, Bruckner JV, Doull J, Gershwin EM, Hood RD, Matanoski GM, Rubin R, Weiss B, and Karol MH. 2005. The potential adverse health effects of dental amalgam. Toxicol Rev. 24(1):1-10. Review.

Weiss B, Stern S, Cox C, and Balys M. 2005. Perinatal and lifetime exposure to methylmercury in the mouse: behavioral effects. Neurotoxicology. Aug;26(4):675-690.

Weiss, B. Psychological indices of toxicity. 2005. In: Wexler, P. Encyclopedia of Toxicology (2nd edition). Oxford, Elsevier, 558-567.

Weiss B, Stern S, Cernichiari E, and Gelein R 2005. Methylmercury contamination of laboratory animal diets. Environ Health Perspect. Sep;113(9):1120-1122.

Myers GJ, Davidson PW and Weiss B. 2004. Methyl mercury exposure and poisoning at Niigata, Japan. Seychelles Medical and Dental Journal, Special Issue, Vol 7, No 1, 132-133.

Myers GJ, Davidson PW, Shamlaye C, Cox C, Kost J, Beck C, Huang L-S, and Weiss B. 2004. The Seychelles Child Development Study of methyl mercury from fish consumption: analysis of subscales from the Child Behaviour Checklist at age 107 months in the main cohort. Seychelles Medical and Dental Journal, Special Issue, Vol 7, No 1, 107-114.

Weiss B, Amler S, and Amler RW. 2004. Pesticides. Pediatrics. Apr;113(4 Suppl):1030-1036.

Davidson PW, Myers GJ, and Weiss B. 2004. Mercury exposure and child development outcomes. Pediatrics. Apr;113(4 Suppl):1023-1029.