Abstract
We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate relevant literature published between January 2003 and December 2023 in order to provide updated epidemiological evidence on the relationship between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). A systematic search of related studies was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. A total of 21 studies were included, with 286,610 subjects for meta-analysis. Analysis revealed that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.14) posed a risk for NDs, while organochlorine pesticide (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.17) exposure exhibited a positive correlation with ND risk. Subgroup analysis by disease indicated a positive association between EDC exposure and Alzheimer's disease (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.07) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03) risk. Our meta-analysis indicates that human exposure to EDCs has adverse effects on NDs.