Pesticide-Induced Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration
Pesticides are widely used in agriculture and pest control, yet mounting evidence links chronic exposure to adverse effects on human health, particularly the nervous system. One key mechanism through which pesticides exert neurotoxicity is oxidative stress-an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems that results in cellular damage. Pesticide-induced oxidative stress triggers lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, processes implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. This review synthesizes current understanding of how pesticides cause oxidative damage in neural tissues, examines cellular mechanisms involved, and explores epidemiological and experimental evidence linking pesticide exposure to neurodegeneration. We further evaluate protective strategies, the role of genetic susceptibility, and future research directions to mitigate pesticide-related neurotoxicity.