Effects of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides like RoundupTM on the mammalian nervous system: A review

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs), such as RoundupTM, the most widely used herbicides in the world. Glyphosate targets an essential enzyme in plants that is not found in animals. However, both glyphosate and GBHs are rated as Group 2A, probable human carcinogens, and also have documented effects on reproduction, acting as endocrine disruptive chemicals. We have reviewed reports of the effects of glyphosate and GBHs on mammalian nervous system function. As with several other herbicides, GBHs exposure has been associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's Disease and death of neurons in the substantia nigra. There is also some evidence implicating RoundupTM in elevated risk of autism. Other studies have shown the effects of GBHs on synaptic transmission in animal and cellular studies. The major mechanism of action appears to be oxidative stress, accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, some gut bacteria utilize the enzyme used by plants, and glyphosate and GBHs use has been shown to alter the gut microbiome. There is a large and growing body of evidence that the gut microbiome alters susceptibility to great number of human diseases, including nervous system function. The weight of the evidence indicates that in addition to cancer and reproductive effects, glyphosate and GBHs have significant adverse effects on the brain and behavior and in-crease the risk of at least some serious neurological diseases.