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The pesticide deltamethrin is widely considered a safer alternative to other chemicals, such as organophosphates due to being less toxic to mammals. However, previous studies in mice showed that deltamethrin exposure at early stages of development can lead to neuronal toxicity, but scientists do not understand the mechanism involved. Therefore, Leandra Koff and a team led by Fernanda Laezza from the Sealy Center of Environmental Health & Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch and colleagues in the U.S. investigated how deltamethrin induces neuronal toxicity and published their in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.

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The team focused on brain-derived extracellular vesicles, or BDEVs, structures that transport molecules, such as signaling proteins, between cells in the brain. Because changes in the BDEV proteome can be a sign of disease, the team used a mass spectrometry–based approach to compare the protein content of BDEVs in mice exposed to deltamethrin and controls. They found several differentially expressed proteins between the two groups. Some alterations are associated with neuronal structure, transport and long-term potentiation, which promotes synaptic connections and plays a role in learning and memory. These proteomic differences could be one explanation for neuronal toxicity due to impaired nutrient transport and growth.

BDEV protein levels could be used as biomarkers to evaluate the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. More research is needed to understand how these proteins disrupt neuronal function at later stages of development.