Losing Our Minds

Barbara Demeneix is an internationally recognized expert on thyroid function and endocrine disruption. She is the author of more than 140 scientific publications, patents, and book chapters. Trained in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Germany, she currently serves as Professor of Comparative Physiology and Head of Department at the National History Museum in Paris, France.

• Contents ; 1. Chemical Pollution and IQ Loss in Children: Learning from the Past ; 2. Thyroid Hormone, Iodine, Selenium, and Mercury ; 3. Thyroid Hormone and Brain Development: Bridging Environment to Gene Expression ; 4. Thyroid Hormone Signalling as a Target of Multiple Pollutants ; 5. Examples of Chemical Pollution Targeting Thyroid Hormone Action ; 6. Mixtures and Low Doses: The Complexity of Risk Assessment ; 7. Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Congenital Hypothyroidism: The Case for Gene x Environment Interactions ; 8. What Can Be Done by Individuals, Associations and Governments: Time to End the Pied Piper Scenario

"Losing Our Minds contains an exceptional amount of detail regarding the mechanisms and importance of the thyroid gland and points towards many potential damaging influences on thyroid function. Anybody involved in thyroid research is likely to find much of value in the book. The possibility of an environmental pollutant causing low level cognitive impairment that may be related to reductions in IQ, and increased autism and ADHD prevalence, remains a theoretical possibility. Losing Our Minds, however, does not provide a convincing case that this theoretical possibility is a current reality." --Stuart Derbyshire, PsycCRITIQUES"Developmental neurotoxicology is a critical field, offering emerging knowledge of the effects of endocrine disruption on brain development. Here, Demeneix provides a broad approach to human development and problems that may occur during different stages of gestation. The author invokes gene x environment interactions in the growing numbers of autism spectrum and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders. Citing the buildup of many contaminants in theenvironment, the author presents a "Pied Piper" view of effects of endocrine disruption on fetuses and young children. [I]t is an important book, clearly written and well documented. The author identifies acritical need for action by governments and nongovernmental organizations. Recommended." --M. Gochfeld, CHOICE