# Role of the gut microbiome in pesticide-induced effects on child neurodevelopment

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIF-LAWRENC BERKELEY LAB · 2020 · $282,150

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Pesticides are pervasive in our environment, and have accumulated in drinking water reserves serving millions
of people worldwide, causing growing concern since the potential adverse health effects are not fully understood.
In 2017 alone, the world used about 6.8 million tons of pesticides, of which the world's largest usage is in China
and the United States. More recently it has been discovered that pesticides have strong effects on microbial
communities, extinguishing entire clades while promoting growth in others. Shifts in microbial composition have
been associated with brain development, mood and behavior suggesting a strong link between the gut and the
brain. We hypothesize that there may exist an unappreciated microbiome component to the adverse health
effects of pesticide exposure. In this proposal, we will use a comprehensive approach to identify the microbial
components of pesticide susceptibility to neurodevelopmental delay. Specifically, in Aim 1 we will investigate the
impact of prenatal exposure to 11 targeted pesticides on child neurodevelopment in a large well-defined human
Mother and Child Microbiome Cohort (MCMC) consisting of 3000 mother and child pairs. Study participants are
currently followed up regularly until the children reach 4 years of age. Comprehensive artificial intelligence
analysis of pesticide exposure and children's early neurodevelopment data will identify key pesticides that
negatively impact child development. In Aim 2, we hypothesize that prenatal exposure to pesticides can shift the
composition of the GM and subsequently lead to abnormal neurodevelopment. We will integrate the child gut
microbiome data with maternal pesticide exposure during pregnancy and child neurodevelopment data to
investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to targeted pesticides on child gut microbiome and development.
This Aim will identify specific gut bacteria or clades associated with child neurodevelopment. In Aim 3, we will
use conventional and germ-free mouse models to elucidate mechanisms by which pesticide exposure can affect
the gut microbiome and behavior. Conventionally housed pregnant mice will be exposed to pesticides and the
gut microbiome and behavior (anxiety, memory, motor performance, social interaction) will be analyzed in their
offspring. Also, germ-free mice will be colonized with specific bacteria or bacterial clades to study the causality
of the impact of the GM on behavior. The long-term implications for human health are significant – it may be
possible to increase tolerance/robustness to pesticide exposure by providing sensitive individuals with probiotics
that have select degradation pathways. Moreover, this understanding is important in order to formulate novel
preventive strategies including educating health practitioners, families, and public health providers and
organizations regarding the potential risks of environmental exposures.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9879567
- **Project number:** 1R01ES031322-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIF-LAWRENC BERKELEY LAB
- **Principal Investigator:** Antoine M Snijders
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $282,150
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-02-17 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9879567

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9879567, Role of the gut microbiome in pesticide-induced effects on child neurodevelopment (1R01ES031322-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9879567. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*