Bisphenol A and brain development, as published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

A paper on the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) has been published by Kundakovic et al under the title "Maternal BPA exposure alters brain function and behavior in offspring".

Professor Andy Smith of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Toxicology Group and MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, has provided the following response, collated amongst other expert opinion by the Science Media Centre (see link below).

Professor Smith said: "This publication is in line with other reports suggesting that in pregnant experimental animals bisphenol A may influence the methylation of genes so controlling their action and leading to subtle differences in physiology of offspring. 

"The work is well organised but its findings emphasize the need for more fundamental research in this area.  Although administered by the authors at relatively low doses possibly compatible with human experience, there are important issues of the degree of exposure to bisphenol A versus the direction of methylation and behavioural/brain changes.   

"These must be confirmed, clarified and mechanisms resolved before any extrapolation can be made to the human context especially in relation to mental and cognitive disorders.  

"Indeed, it is unclear how understanding consequences of low bisphenol A exposure fit in the landscape of human exposure to other chemicals."