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A recent study has revealed that the chemical weapon Agent Orange, originally used during the Vietnam War and now used as an herbicide, has damaging effects on the brain that are comparable to the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers discovered that the substance has a detrimental effect on the frontal lobes of rats who were exposed to it, resulting in abnormalities that resemble those observed in individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
According to researchers, the most recent discoveries may have significant consequences for military veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their service in the Vietnam War.
Scientists have been studying the effects of the herbicide, which has been deemed toxic and hasn’t been used for many years, in order to better understand its role in causing neurological issues.
According to study co-author Suzanne M De La Monte from Brown University in the US, if we can demonstrate a link between previous exposure to Agent Orange and later development of neurodegenerative disease, it could provide an opportunity for veterans to receive assistance.
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During the Vietnam War, US soldiers frequently utilized Agent Orange, a chemical weapon, by spraying it from planes onto areas controlled by the enemy as an herbicide.
Government studies throughout the years have revealed that contact with Agent Orange resulted in congenital abnormalities and developmental impairments in infants born to Vietnamese women living in the impacted regions.
The substance is also linked to a higher chance of certain cancers, as well as heart disease and diabetes, in individuals who have been exposed to it.
American and South Korean military personnel stationed near enemy territory were also at risk of being exposed to the harmful chemical.
According to researchers, the discovery has significant implications because certain harmful substances found in Agent Orange can also be found in common lawn fertilizers.
Dr. De La Monte stated that these chemicals have an impact not only on veterans, but also on our entire population.
During the experiment, scientists exposed rat brain tissue samples to increasing amounts of Agent Orange and its individual chemical components. They then monitored the resulting mechanisms and molecular alterations.
The researchers discovered that the herbicide and its components have the potential to lead to degeneration of brain cells, signs of cell damage, DNA damage, and other problems.
The study found that Agent Orange and its individual chemicals, specifically 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, have dangerous impacts on the brain.
“It is crucial to examine the impacts of these substances, as they can be found in water and are ubiquitous. We have all likely been exposed,” stated Dr. De La Monte.
According to researchers, the most recent discoveries can aid in our understanding of neurological symptoms observed in American veterans and Vietnamese citizens who were exposed to the harmful chemical during the war.
Source: independent.co.uk
