Editing Benzo(a)pyrene (section)

=== Nervous system ===
[[Prenatal exposure]] of B''a''P in rats is known to affect learning and memory in rodent models. Pregnant rats eating B''a''P were shown to negatively affect the brain function in the late life of their offspring. At a time when [[synapse]]s are first formed and adjusted in strength by activity, B''a''P diminished [[NMDA]] receptor-dependent nerve cell activity measured as mRNA expression of the NMDA [[NR2B]] receptor subunit.<ref>{{Cite journal|pmc=2752856|year=2008|last1=McCallister|first1=M. M.|title=Prenatal Exposure to Benzo[''a'']pyrene Impairs Later-Life Cortical Neuronal Function|journal=NeuroToxicology|volume=29|issue=5|pages=846–854|last2=Maguire|first2=M|last3=Ramesh|first3=A|last4=Aimin|first4=Q|last5=Liu|first5=S|last6=Khoshbouei|first6=H|last7=Aschner|first7=M|last8=Ebner|first8=F. F.|last9=Hood|first9=D. B.|display-authors=3|doi=10.1016/j.neuro.2008.07.008|pmid=18761371}}.</ref>