(ATHENA) Assays for the identification of Thyroid Hormone axis-disrupting chemicals: Elaborating Novel Assessment strategies

Project summary

The ATHENA consortium aims to mobilise the scientific progress made in recent years to close critical gaps left open in test methods for thyroid hormone axis disrupting-chemicals. We will develop new methods for incorporation into existing OECD test guidelines that can capture the consequences of maternal thyroid hormone deficiency on the developing brain, due to disruption of delivery of thyroid hormones to the foetus. ATHENA will conceive strategies for the international harmonisation of screening, testing and hazard identification for thyroid hormone axis disrupting chemicals. ATHENA comprises world-leading endocrinologists, experts in endocrine disruption and experts in modelling brain function ex vivo who collectively will deliver a step change in thyroid disruptor testing

This project will lead to identification of Thyroid Hormone axis disrupting chemicals that will lead to decreasing the deficiency of maternal thyroid hormone on the developing fetal brain.