Elucidation of developmental neurotoxicity mechanisms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via aryl hydrocarbon receptor

多芳烃（PAHs）在环境中积累，人类通过食物和环境媒介接触到它们。本研究的目的是通过行为试验阐明妊娠期暴露于多环芳烃对小鼠的可能影响和毒性机制。结果表明，芳烃受体本身在行为异常中发挥了重要作用。这种受体在脑功能中可能具有的生物学意义值得进一步研究。

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) are accumulated in the environment, and humans are exposed to them via food and environmental media. The objective of the present study is to elucidate possible effects and toxicity mechanisms of gestational exposure to PAHs in mice using behavioral tests. As a result, aryl hydrocarbon receptor itself was suggested to play a responsible role in the behavioral abnormality. The possible biological significance of this receptor in the brain function warrants future studies.