Direct transmission of bisphenol A from through the placenta could negatively affect fetal brain development, a new study shows. Cheryl Rosenfeld, a professor of biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri, and colleagues propose more attention should be placed on how this temporary organ affects fetal brain development. “The placenta is only a temporary organ that aids in the exchange of nutrients and waste between mother and child during pregnancy, but how the placenta responds to toxicants like BPA [bisphenol A] during pregnancy can lead to long-term health consequences,” Rosenfeld says. “We focused on the role of microRNAs within the placenta, which are known to be key mediators in regulating cellular functions, including neural development, and the identification of certain markers for cancer.” Rosenfeld suspects the microRNAs are playing a role in how the effects of BPA exposure can lead to neurological disorders later in …