Mapping Neurobehavioral Outcomes of Glyphosate Application in the United States Through a Data Science Framework

Mapping Neurobehavioral Outcomes of Glyphosate Application in the United States Through a Data Science Framework

Alvin Sherman Library

Glyphosate is the most widely used active ingredient in herbicides globally, yet its impact on mental health and neurodegenerative disorders is under-researched. This project developed a data science approach to build a structured database that consolidates evidence of glyphosate exposure and neurological health outcomes, with a primary focus on the United States. A systematic search of scientific databases identified over seventy peer-reviewed studies, primarily U.S.-based with some global representation. Data for six primary health outcomes (depression, anxiety, reported suicide, ADHD, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease) were extracted. Each study was reviewed for design type, study location, exposure assessment methods, health outcomes, and key findings. To expand on this research and explore correlations, the prevalence of depression, suicide ideation, and Parkinson's disease was examined using reported health outcomes data on a state-by-state basis in high agricultural output states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska), as reported in the USGS' 2019 glyphosate usage report. Neurological outcome data were retrieved from the CDC and Mental Health America (MHA) databases, organizing population demographics by race and sex for trend visualization. The resulting database established a centralized source to facilitate future epidemiological analyses. As a next step, the NIH All of Us database will be used to validate findings from the literature review and work to bridge the gap in knowledge on the effects of glyphosate exposure. These findings will advance the scientific dialogue on glyphosate's potential neurobehavioral effects, helping to clarify its role in neurological health outcomes.