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REVIEW article

Front. Toxicol.
Sec. Neurotoxicology
Volume 7 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/ftox.2025.1543374

The neurotoxicity of iodoacetic acid, a byproduct of drinking water disinfection

Provisionally accepted
Xu Wang Xu Wang 1,2,3Chunshu Rong Chunshu Rong 1Ping Niu Ping Niu 1Wei Leng Wei Leng 1Gaihua Wang Gaihua Wang 2Ziqiao He Ziqiao He 2Xin Qi Xin Qi 2Dexi Zhao Dexi Zhao 1*Jinhua Li Jinhua Li 2*
  • 1 The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
  • 2 Jilin University, Changchun, China
  • 3 Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    IAA is a by-product of the water disinfection process and has been found to be neurotoxic. However, the role and mechanism of IAA neurotoxicity remain unclear.In this review, we comprehensively discuss the neurotoxic effects and mechanisms of IAA from the molecular level, cellular level and neurological manifestations. At the molecular level, IAA causes neurotoxicity by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential, aggravating oxidative stress and DNA damage. At the cellular level, IAA causes neurotoxicity by inducing BBB disruption, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis.In neurological manifestations, IAA can lead to neurotransmitter disorders, neurodevelopment dysfunction, and even neurodegenerative diseases. Taken together, our review provides insights into the mechanisms of IAA neurotoxicity that will contribute to future studies of IAA neurotoxicity and its protective strategies.

    Keywords: Neurotoxicity, neurodegeneration, Disinfection byproducts, Iodoacetic Acid, Neuroinflammation

    Received: 11 Dec 2024; Accepted: 10 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Rong, Niu, Leng, Wang, He, Qi, Zhao and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Dexi Zhao, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, China
    Jinhua Li, Jilin University, Changchun, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.