Exposure to the polybrominated diphenyl ether mixture DE-71 damages the nigrostriatal dopamine system: Role of dopamine handling in neurotoxicity

► PBDEs share many physiochemical properties as the dopaminergic neurotoxicant, PCBs. ► PBDEs are previously shown to inhibit vesicular dynamics in dopamine system. ► PBDEs disrupt the nigrostriatal dopamine system, in vitro and in vivo. ► Disruption is exacerbated in transgenic mice with a 95% reduction in VMAT2. ► These are the first data demonstrating a role of PBDEs in dopamine neurotoxicity.