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Song H, Zhang A, Barr B, Wickham S. Effect of Universal Credit on young children's mental health: quasi-experimental evidence from understanding society. J Epidemiol Community Health 2024:jech-2024-222293. [PMID: 39153850 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2024-222293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child mental health has become an increasingly important issue in the UK, especially in the context of significant welfare reforms. Universal Credit (UC) has introduced substantial changes to the UK's social security system, significantly impacting low-income families. Our aim was to assess the effects of UC's introduction on children's mental health for families eligible for UC versus a comparable non-eligible sample. METHODS Using Understanding Society data from 5806 observations of 4582 children (aged 5 or 8 years) in Great Britain between 2012 and 2018, we created two groups: children whose parents were eligible for UC (intervention group) and children whose parents were ineligible for UC (comparison group). Child mental health was assessed using a parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The OR and percentage point change in the prevalence of children experiencing mental health difficulties between the intervention group and the comparison group following the introduction of UC were analysed. We also investigated whether the utilisation of childcare services and changes in household income were mechanisms by which UC impacted children's mental health. RESULTS Logistic regression results demonstrated that the prevalence of mental health problems among eligible children whose parents were unemployed increased by an OR of 2.18 (95% CI 1.14 to 4.18), equivalent to an 8-percentage point increase (95% CI 1 to 14 percentage points) following the introduction of UC, relative to the comparison group. Exploring potential mechanisms, we found neither reduced household income nor increased use of childcare services, which served as a proxy for reduced time spent with parents, significantly influenced children's mental health. CONCLUSIONS UC has led to an increase in mental health problems among recipient children, particularly for children in larger families and those aged 8. Policymakers should carefully evaluate the potential health consequences for specific demographics when introducing new welfare policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Song
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anwen Zhang
- Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Benjamin Barr
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sophie Wickham
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Foster JC, Hodges HR, Beloborodova A, Cohodes EM, Phillips MQ, Anderson E, Fagbenro B, Gee DG. Integrating developmental neuroscience with community-engaged approaches to address mental health outcomes for housing-insecure youth: Implications for research, practice, and policy. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 68:101399. [PMID: 38875770 PMCID: PMC11225708 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
One in three children in the United States is exposed to insecure housing conditions, including unaffordable, inconsistent, and unsafe housing. These exposures have detrimental impacts on youth mental health. Delineating the neurobehavioral pathways linking exposure to housing insecurity with children's mental health has the potential to inform interventions and policy. However, in approaching this work, carefully considering the lived experiences of youth and families is essential to translating scientific discovery to improve health outcomes in an equitable and representative way. In the current paper, we provide an introduction to the range of stressful experiences that children may face when exposed to insecure housing conditions. Next, we highlight findings from the early-life stress literature regarding the potential neurobehavioral consequences of insecure housing, focusing on how unpredictability is associated with the neural circuitry supporting cognitive and emotional development. We then delineate how community-engaged research (CEnR) approaches have been leveraged to understand the effects of housing insecurity on mental health, and we propose future research directions that integrate developmental neuroscience research and CEnR approaches to maximize the impact of this work. We conclude by outlining practice and policy recommendations that aim to improve the mental health of children exposed to insecure housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan C Foster
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - H R Hodges
- University of Minnesota, Institute of Child Development, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Anna Beloborodova
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Emily M Cohodes
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | | | | | - Dylan G Gee
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, New Haven, CT, United States.
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3
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Isik OG, Junaid S, Guo L, Lackraj D, Landau R, Miles CH, Pennell C, von Ungern Sternberg BS, Whitehouse AJO, Li G, Ing C. Behavioural and neuropsychological outcomes in children exposed in utero to maternal labour epidural analgesia. Br J Anaesth 2024; 133:334-343. [PMID: 38702238 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2024.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies report conflicting results regarding the relationship between labour epidural analgesia (LEA) in mothers and neurodevelopmental disorders in their offspring. We evaluated behavioural and neuropsychological test scores in children of mothers who used LEA. METHODS Children enrolled in the Raine Study from Western Australia and delivered vaginally from a singleton pregnancy between 1989 and 1992 were evaluated. Children exposed to LEA were compared with unexposed children. The primary outcome was the parent-reported Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) reporting total, internalising, and externalising behavioural problem scores at age 10 yr. Score differences, an increased risk of clinical deficit, and a dose-response based on the duration of LEA exposure were assessed. Secondary outcomes included language, motor function, cognition, and autistic traits. RESULTS Of 2180 children, 850 (39.0%) were exposed to LEA. After adjustment for covariates, exposed children had minimally increased CBCL total scores (+1.41 points; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09 to 2.73; P=0.037), but not internalising (+1.13 points; 95% CI -0.08 to 2.34; P=0.066) or externalising (+1.08 points; 95% CI -0.08 to 2.24; P=0.068) subscale subscores. Increased risk of clinical deficit was not observed for any CBCL score. For secondary outcomes, score differences were inconsistently observed in motor function and cognition. Increased exposure duration was not associated with worse scores in any outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Although LEA exposure was associated with slightly higher total behavioural scores, there was no difference in subscores, increased risk of clinical deficits, or dose-response relationship. These results argue against LEA exposure being associated with consistent, clinically significant neurodevelopmental deficits in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver G Isik
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shaqif Junaid
- Department of Anesthesiology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ling Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deven Lackraj
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruth Landau
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caleb H Miles
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Craig Pennell
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Britta S von Ungern Sternberg
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia; Perioperative Care Program, Perioperative Medicine Team, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Guohua Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caleb Ing
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Yang Y, Zheng T, Tang Q, Xiang B, Yang M, Zeng J, Zhou F, Xie X. Developmental dyslexia genes are selectively targeted by diverse environmental pollutants. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:509. [PMID: 39020327 PMCID: PMC11256705 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05952-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developmental dyslexia, a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, not only affects children's academic performance but is also associated with increased healthcare costs, lower employment rates, and reduced productivity. The pathogenesis of dyslexia remains unclear and it is generally considered to be caused by the overlap of genetic and environmental factors. Systematically exploring the close relationship between exposure to environmental compounds and susceptibility genes in the development of dyslexia is currently lacking but high necessary. METHODS In this study, we systematically compiled 131 publicly reported susceptibility genes for dyslexia sourced from DisGeNET, OMIM, and GeneCards databases. Comparative Toxicogenomics Database database was used to explore the overlap between susceptibility genes and 95 environmental compounds, including metals, persistent organic pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides. Chemical bias towards the dyslexia risk genes was taken into account in the observation/expectation ratios > 1 and the corresponding P value obtained by hypergeometric probability test. RESULTS Our study found that the number of dyslexia risk genes targeted by each chemical varied from 1 to 109. A total of 35 chemicals were involved in chemical reactions with dyslexia-associated genes, with significant enrichment values (observed/expected dyslexia risk genes) ranging from 1.147 (Atrazine) to 66.901 (Dibenzo(a, h)pyrene). CONCLUSION The results indicated that dyslexia-associated genes were implicated in certain chemical reactions. However, these findings are exploratory, and further research involving animal or cellular experiments is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Yang
- Research Center for Health Promotion in Women, Youth and Children, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, West Huangjiahu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Tingting Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Qidi Tang
- Research Center for Health Promotion in Women, Youth and Children, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, West Huangjiahu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Bing Xiang
- Research Center for Health Promotion in Women, Youth and Children, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, West Huangjiahu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Research Center for Health Promotion in Women, Youth and Children, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, West Huangjiahu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- Research Center for Health Promotion in Women, Youth and Children, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, West Huangjiahu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Research Center for Health Promotion in Women, Youth and Children, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, West Huangjiahu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Xinyan Xie
- Research Center for Health Promotion in Women, Youth and Children, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, West Huangjiahu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan, 430065, China.
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McAtee D, Abdelmoneim A. A zebrafish-based acoustic motor response (AMR) assay to evaluate chemical-induced developmental neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 2024; 103:60-70. [PMID: 38851595 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Behavioral assays using early-developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) offer a valuable supplement to the in vitro battery adopted as new approach methodologies (NAMs) for assessing risk of chemical-induced developmental neurotoxicity. However, the behavioral assays primarily adopted rely on visual stimulation to elicit behavioral responses, known as visual motor response (VMR) assays. Ocular deficits resulting from chemical exposures can, therefore, confound the behavioral responses, independent of effects on the nervous system. This highlights the need for complementary assays employing alternative forms of sensory stimulation. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of acoustic stimuli as triggers of behavioral responses in larval zebrafish, determined the most appropriate data acquisition mode, and evaluated the suitability of an acoustic motor response (AMR) assay as means to assess alterations in brain activity and risk of chemical-induced developmental neurotoxicity. We quantified the motor responses of 120 h post-fertilization (hpf) larvae to acoustic stimuli with varying patterns and frequencies, and determined the optimal time intervals for data acquisition. Following this, we examined changes in acoustic and visual motor responses resulting from exposures to pharmacological agents known to impact brain activity (pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and tricaine-s (MS-222)). Additionally, we examined the AMR and VMR of larvae following exposure to two environmental contaminants associated with developmental neurotoxicity: arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd). Our findings indicate that exposure to a 100 Hz sound frequency in 100 ms pulses elicits the strongest behavioral response among the acoustic stimuli tested and data acquisition in 2 s time intervals is suitable for response assessment. Exposure to PTZ exaggerated and depressed both AMR and VMR in a concentration-dependent manner, while exposure to MS-222 only depressed them. Similarly, exposure to As and Cd induced respective hyper- and hypo-activation of both motor responses. This study highlights the efficiency of the proposed zebrafish-based AMR assay in demonstrating risk of chemical-induced developmental neurotoxicity and its suitability as a complement to the widely adopted VMR assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetrius McAtee
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Ahmed Abdelmoneim
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
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6
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Bourassa KJ, Wagner HR, Halverson TF, Ashley-Koch AE, Beckham J, Garrett ME, Kimbrel NA, Naylor JC. Deployment-related toxic exposures are associated with worsening mental and physical health after military service: Results from a self-report screening of veterans deployed after 9/11. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 174:283-288. [PMID: 38678685 PMCID: PMC11102311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to toxins-such as heavy metals and air pollution-can result in poor health and wellbeing. Recent scientific and media attention has highlighted negative health outcomes associated with toxic exposures for U.S. military personnel deployed overseas. Despite established health risks, less empirical work has examined whether deployment-related toxic exposures are associated with declines in mental and physical health after leaving military service, particularly among the most recent cohort of veterans deployed after September 11, 2001. Using data from 659 U.S. veterans in the VISN 6 MIRECC Post-Deployment Mental Health Study, we tested whether self-reported toxic exposures were associated with poorer mental and physical health. At baseline, veterans who reported more toxic exposures also reported more mental health, β = 0.14, 95% CI [0.04, 0.23], p = 0.004, and physical health symptoms, β = 0.21, 95% CI [0.11, 0.30], p < 0.001. Over the next ten years, veterans reporting more toxic exposures also had greater increases in mental health symptoms, β = 0.23, 95% CI [0.15, 0.31], p < 0.001, physical health symptoms, β = 0.22, 95% CI [0.14, 0.30], p < 0.001, and chronic disease diagnoses, β = 0.15, 95% CI [0.07, 0.23], p < 0.001. These associations accounted for demographic and military covariates, including combat exposure. Our findings suggest that toxic exposures are associated with worsening mental and physical health after military service, and this recent cohort of veterans will have increased need for mental health and medical care as they age into midlife and older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Bourassa
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, USA; Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham Veteran Affairs (VA) Health Care System, USA; Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, USA.
| | - H Ryan Wagner
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Tate F Halverson
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, USA
| | | | - Jean Beckham
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Melanie E Garrett
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, USA
| | - Nathan A Kimbrel
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, USA; VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham VA Health Care System, USA
| | - Jennifer C Naylor
- VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Health Care System, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, USA
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7
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Guimbaud JB, Siskos AP, Sakhi AK, Heude B, Sabidó E, Borràs E, Keun H, Wright J, Julvez J, Urquiza J, Gützkow KB, Chatzi L, Casas M, Bustamante M, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Vrijheid M, López-Vicente M, de Castro Pascual M, Stratakis N, Robinson O, Grazuleviciene R, Slama R, Alemany S, Basagaña X, Plantevit M, Cazabet R, Maitre L. Machine learning-based health environmental-clinical risk scores in European children. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:98. [PMID: 38783062 PMCID: PMC11116423 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00513-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life environmental stressors play an important role in the development of multiple chronic disorders. Previous studies that used environmental risk scores (ERS) to assess the cumulative impact of environmental exposures on health are limited by the diversity of exposures included, especially for early life determinants. We used machine learning methods to build early life exposome risk scores for three health outcomes using environmental, molecular, and clinical data. METHODS In this study, we analyzed data from 1622 mother-child pairs from the HELIX European birth cohorts, using over 300 environmental, 100 child peripheral, and 18 mother-child clinical markers to compute environmental-clinical risk scores (ECRS) for child behavioral difficulties, metabolic syndrome, and lung function. ECRS were computed using LASSO, Random Forest and XGBoost. XGBoost ECRS were selected to extract local feature contributions using Shapley values and derive feature importance and interactions. RESULTS ECRS captured 13%, 50% and 4% of the variance in mental, cardiometabolic, and respiratory health, respectively. We observed no significant differences in predictive performances between the above-mentioned methods.The most important predictive features were maternal stress, noise, and lifestyle exposures for mental health; proteome (mainly IL1B) and metabolome features for cardiometabolic health; child BMI and urine metabolites for respiratory health. CONCLUSIONS Besides their usefulness for epidemiological research, our risk scores show great potential to capture holistic individual level non-hereditary risk associations that can inform practitioners about actionable factors of high-risk children. As in the post-genetic era personalized prevention medicine will focus more and more on modifiable factors, we believe that such integrative approaches will be instrumental in shaping future healthcare paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Guimbaud
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Univ Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, INSA Lyon, LIRIS, UMR5205, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Meersens, Lyon, France
| | - Alexandros P Siskos
- Imperial College London, Cancer Metabolism & Systems Toxicology Group, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery & Cancer, London, UK
| | | | - Barbara Heude
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, INRAE, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Paris, France
| | - Eduard Sabidó
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Centre de Regulació Genòmica, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Borràs
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Centre de Regulació Genòmica, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hector Keun
- Imperial College London, Cancer Metabolism & Systems Toxicology Group, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery & Cancer, London, UK
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Jordi Julvez
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
| | - Jose Urquiza
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maribel Casas
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Martine Vrijheid
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica López-Vicente
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat de Castro Pascual
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nikos Stratakis
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Oliver Robinson
- Μedical Research Council Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Mohn Centre for Children's Health and Well-being, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Remy Slama
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology, IAB, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm, CNRS, CHU-Grenoble-Alpes, University Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Silvia Alemany
- Psychiatric Genetics Unit, Group of Psychiatry Mental Health and Addiction, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Network Research Centre on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Basagaña
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Plantevit
- EPITA Research Laboratory (LRE), Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Rémy Cazabet
- Univ Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, INSA Lyon, LIRIS, UMR5205, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Léa Maitre
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER Epidemiología Y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
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Cumbo F, Tosi M, Catteruccia M, Diodato D, Nicita F, Mizzoni I, De Luca G, Carlesi A, Alfieri P, Vicari S, Bertini ES, D'Amico A. Evolution of neuropsychological and behavioral profile in a cohort of pediatric patients with Becker muscular dystrophy in a longitudinal study. Neuromuscul Disord 2024; 36:33-37. [PMID: 38340696 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
It has long been reported that neuropsychological deficits may be present in dystrophinopathies, specifically non-progressive cognitive impairment and a global deficit in executive functions; this neurocognitive profile has been less explored in patients with Becker than Duchenne muscular dystrophy (BMD/DMD). We conducted a longitudinal study to explore the evolution of neuropsychological and behavioural profile in a cohort of paediatric BMD. Seventeen patients with BMD without intellectual disability were assessed using a full battery of tests, including intellectual, adaptive and executive functioning, language and behavioral features. Tests were performed at baseline and after 12 months. The results showed adequate cognitive and adaptive profile with falls in Working Memory, as well as lower scores in executive functions. An improvement was observed in Processing Speed. Behavioral questionnaires confirmed a negative trend, while in normal ranges. We found a statistically significant difference between T0 and T1 in some items exploring executive functions. No statistically significant difference was observed stratifying patients by mutation site or IQ level. In conclusion, our study suggests that BMD patients have a stable neurocognitive profile, while a deflection in the executive functions may be observed. We recommend a careful monitoring to intercept learning disabilities and promptly start a multimodal rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cumbo
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Tosi
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Catteruccia
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daria Diodato
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Nicita
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Mizzoni
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo De Luca
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Adelina Carlesi
- Developmental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Alfieri
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Unit of Muscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Taylor BK, Pulliam H, Smith OV, Rice DL, Johnson HJ, Coutant AT, Glesinger R, Wilson TW. Effects of chronic home radon exposure on cognitive, behavioral, and mental health in developing children and adolescents. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1330469. [PMID: 38469220 PMCID: PMC10925658 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction It is well-established that chronic exposure to environmental toxins can have adverse effects on neuropsychological health, particularly in developing youths. However, home radon, a ubiquitous radiotoxin, has been seldom studied in this context. In the present study, we investigated the degree to which chronic everyday home radon exposure was associated with alterations in transdiagnostic mental health outcomes. Methods A total of 59 children and adolescents ages 6- to 14-years-old (M = 10.47 years, SD = 2.58; 28 males) completed the study. Parents completed questionnaires detailing aspects of attention and executive function. We used a principal components analysis to derive three domains of neuropsychological functioning: 1) task-based executive function skills, 2) self-and emotion-regulation abilities, and 3) inhibitory control. Additionally, parents completed a home radon test kit and provided information on how long their child had lived in the tested home. We computed a radon exposure index per person based on the duration of time that the child had lived in the home and their measured home radon concentration. Youths were divided into terciles based on their radon exposure index score. Using a MANCOVA design, we determined whether there were differences in neuropsychological domain scores across the three groups, controlling for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Results There was a significant multivariate effect of radon group on neuropsychological dysfunction (λ = 0.77, F = 2.32, p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.12). Examination of univariate effects revealed specific increases in self-and emotion-regulation dysfunction among the youths with the greatest degree of chronic home radon exposure (F = 7.21, p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.21). There were no significant differences by group in the other tested domains. Discussion The data suggest potential specificity in the neurotoxic effects of everyday home radon exposure in developing youths, with significant aberrations in self-and emotion-regulation faculties. These findings support the need for better public awareness and public health policy surrounding home radon safety and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany K. Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Haley Pulliam
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - OgheneTejiri V. Smith
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Danielle L. Rice
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Hallie J. Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Anna T. Coutant
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Ryan Glesinger
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
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Chen WJ, Rector-Houze AM, Guxens M, Iñiguez C, Swartz MD, Symanski E, Ibarluzea J, Valentin A, Lertxundi A, González-Safont L, Sunyer J, Whitworth KW. Susceptible windows of prenatal and postnatal fine particulate matter exposures and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in early childhood. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168806. [PMID: 38016567 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Few prior studies have explored windows of susceptibility to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in both the prenatal and postnatal periods and children's attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. We analyzed data from 1416 mother-child pairs from the Spanish INMA (INfancia y Medio Ambiente) Study (2003-2008). Around 5 years of age, teachers reported the number of ADHD symptoms (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity) using the ADHD Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Around 7 years of age, parents completed the Conners' Parent Rating Scales, from which we evaluated the ADHD index, cognitive problems/inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional subscales, reported as age- and sex-standardized T-scores. Daily residential PM2.5 exposures were estimated using a two-stage random forest model with temporal back-extrapolation and averaged over 1-week periods in the prenatal period and 4-week periods in the postnatal period. We applied distributed lag non-linear models within the Bayesian hierarchical model framework to identify susceptible windows of prenatal or postnatal exposure to PM2.5 (per 5-μg/m3) for ADHD symptoms. Models were adjusted for relevant covariates, and cumulative effects were reported by aggregating risk ratios (RRcum) or effect estimates (βcum) across adjacent susceptible windows. A similar susceptible period of exposure to PM2.5 (1.2-2.9 and 0.9-2.7 years of age, respectively) was identified for hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms assessed ~5 years (RRcum = 2.72, 95% credible interval [CrI] = 1.98, 3.74) and increased hyperactivity subscale ~7 years (βcum = 3.70, 95% CrI = 2.36, 5.03). We observed a susceptibility period to PM2.5 on risk of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms ~5 years in gestational weeks 16-22 (RRcum = 1.36, 95% CrI = 1.22, 1.52). No associations between PM2.5 exposure and other ADHD symptoms were observed. We report consistent evidence of toddlerhood as a susceptible window of PM2.5 exposure for hyperactivity in young children. Although mid-pregnancy was identified as a susceptible period of exposure on hyperactivity symptoms in preschool-aged children, this association was not observed at the time children were school-aged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jen Chen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alison M Rector-Houze
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mònica Guxens
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carmen Iñiguez
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Universitat de València, València, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - Michael D Swartz
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elaine Symanski
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jesús Ibarluzea
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain; Ministry of Health of the Basque Government, Sub-Directorate for Public Health and Addictions of Gipuzkoa, 20013 San Sebastian, Spain; Faculty of Psychology, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Antonia Valentin
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aitana Lertxundi
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Llúcia González-Safont
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, València, Spain; Nursing and Chiropody Faculty of Valencia University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kristina W Whitworth
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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Sengupta P, Dutta S, Liew FF, Dhawan V, Das B, Mottola F, Slama P, Rocco L, Roychoudhury S. Environmental and Genetic Traffic in the Journey from Sperm to Offspring. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1759. [PMID: 38136630 PMCID: PMC10741607 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in the understanding of how sperm develop into offspring have shown complex interactions between environmental influences and genetic factors. The past decade, marked by a research surge, has not only highlighted the profound impact of paternal contributions on fertility and reproductive outcomes but also revolutionized our comprehension by unveiling how parental factors sculpt traits in successive generations through mechanisms that extend beyond traditional inheritance patterns. Studies have shown that offspring are more susceptible to environmental factors, especially during critical phases of growth. While these factors are broadly detrimental to health, their effects are especially acute during these periods. Moving beyond the immutable nature of the genome, the epigenetic profile of cells emerges as a dynamic architecture. This flexibility renders it susceptible to environmental disruptions. The primary objective of this review is to shed light on the diverse processes through which environmental agents affect male reproductive capacity. Additionally, it explores the consequences of paternal environmental interactions, demonstrating how interactions can reverberate in the offspring. It encompasses direct genetic changes as well as a broad spectrum of epigenetic adaptations. By consolidating current empirically supported research, it offers an exhaustive perspective on the interwoven trajectories of the environment, genetics, and epigenetics in the elaborate transition from sperm to offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sulagna Dutta
- School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai 345050, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fong Fong Liew
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Jenjarom 42610, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vidhu Dhawan
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Biprojit Das
- Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar 788011, India
| | - Filomena Mottola
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Petr Slama
- Laboratory of Animal Immunology and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Rocco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Marshall AT, Adise S, Cardenas-Iniguez C, Hippolyte OK, Parchment CA, Villalobos TI, Wong LT, Cisneros CP, Kan EC, Palmer CE, Bodison SC, Herting MM, Sowell ER. Family- and neighborhood-level environmental associations with physical health conditions in 9- and 10-year-olds. Health Psychol 2023; 42:878-888. [PMID: 36633989 PMCID: PMC10336174 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine how environmental factors are associated with physical health conditions in 9- to 10-year-old participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, and how they are moderated by family-level socioeconomic status (SES). METHOD We performed cross-sectional analyses of 8,429 youth participants in the ABCD Study, in which nine physical health conditions (having underweight or overweight/obesity, not participating in sports activities, short sleep duration, high sleep disturbances, lack of vigorous and strengthening-related physical activity, miscellaneous medical problems, and traumatic brain injury) were regressed on three environmental factors [neighborhood disadvantage (area deprivation index [ADI]), risk of lead exposure, and concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5)] and their interaction with family-level SES (i.e., parent-reported annual household income). Environmental data were geocoded to participants' primary residential addresses at 9- to 10-year-olds. RESULTS Risk of lead exposure and ADI were positively associated with the odds of having overweight/obesity, not participating in sports activity, and short sleep durations. ADI was also positively associated with high sleep disturbances. PM2.5 was positively associated with the odds of having overweight/obesity and reduced vigorous physical activity. Family-level SES moderated relationships between ADI and both underweight and overweight/obesity, with high SES being associated with more pronounced changes given increased ADI. CONCLUSIONS Policymakers and public health officials must implement policies and remediation strategies to ensure children are free from exposure to neurotoxicant and environmental factors. Physical health conditions may be less of a product of an individual's choices and more related to environmental influences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T. Marshall
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Shana Adise
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | - Ogechi K. Hippolyte
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Camille A. Parchment
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Tanya I. Villalobos
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Lawrence T. Wong
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | - Eric C. Kan
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Clare E. Palmer
- Center for Human Development, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Stefanie C. Bodison
- College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth R. Sowell
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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13
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Reed JE, Burns CJ, Pisa F. Literature landscape of neurodevelopment and pesticides: A scoping review of methodologies. GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 6:100121. [PMID: 37781166 PMCID: PMC10539886 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pesticides are highly tested and regulated chemicals. There is currently great interest in the role that pesticides may play in childhood neurodevelopment. The objective was to identify and describe the body of evidence and to assess the ability to synthesize effect estimates. The epidemiologic literature from 2011 to 2022 was searched for publications on the association between pesticide exposure and neurodevelopment, behavior, and/or cognition in children. We identified 114 publications, representing 67 unique studies. While organochlorine and other insecticides were the most common classes of pesticides studied, up to 159 different metabolites or active ingredients were reported. Nine pesticides or their metabolites were reported in >10 publications. Similarly, multiple assessment methods were administered across studies to evaluate outcomes in neurodevelopment at ages which ranged from birth to 18 years of age. This scoping review reveals the heterogeneity among published studies with respect to exposures and health outcomes, in the methods used to assess and classify them, and in combinations of the two. This limits the adequacy of the evidence to evaluate specific risk estimates for a particular exposure-outcome pair. Intentional coordination among researchers to increase consistency in methodologies would facilitate the synthesis of results across studies. Research opportunities also exist to validate assumptions in exposure and outcome assessment which are implicit in many of the studies reviewed. In conclusion, there are many ongoing epidemiologic studies with a focus on pesticides and neurodevelopment. The variety of exposures, exposure assessment methods and tests for each outcome can be overwhelming. Interdisciplinary collaboration is recommended to harmonize data collection and to enable meaningful interpretation of the study results across populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carol J. Burns
- Burns Epidemiology Consulting, LLC, Thompsonville, MI, USA
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14
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Goodman CV, Green R, DaCosta A, Flora D, Lanphear B, Till C. Sex difference of pre- and post-natal exposure to six developmental neurotoxicants on intellectual abilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies. Environ Health 2023; 22:80. [PMID: 37978510 PMCID: PMC10655280 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01029-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life exposure to lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybromide diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and phthalates have been associated with lowered IQ in children. In some studies, these neurotoxicants impact males and females differently. We aimed to examine the sex-specific effects of exposure to developmental neurotoxicants on intelligence (IQ) in a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHOD We screened abstracts published in PsychINFO and PubMed before December 31st, 2021, for empirical studies of six neurotoxicants (lead, mercury, PCBs, PBDEs, OPPs, and phthalates) that (1) used an individualized biomarker; (2) measured exposure during the prenatal period or before age six; and (3) provided effect estimates on general, nonverbal, and/or verbal IQ by sex. We assessed each study for risk of bias and evaluated the certainty of the evidence using Navigation Guide. We performed separate random effect meta-analyses by sex and timing of exposure with subgroup analyses by neurotoxicant. RESULTS Fifty-one studies were included in the systematic review and 20 in the meta-analysis. Prenatal exposure to developmental neurotoxicants was associated with decreased general and nonverbal IQ in males, especially for lead. No significant effects were found for verbal IQ, or postnatal lead exposure and general IQ. Due to the limited number of studies, we were unable to analyze postnatal effects of any of the other neurotoxicants. CONCLUSION During fetal development, males may be more vulnerable than females to general and nonverbal intellectual deficits from neurotoxic exposures, especially from lead. More research is needed to examine the nuanced sex-specific effects found for postnatal exposure to toxic chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly V Goodman
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada.
| | - Rivka Green
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - Allya DaCosta
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - David Flora
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christine Till
- Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, M3J 1P3, ON, Canada
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15
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Margolis AE, Greenwood P, Dranovsky A, Rauh V. The Role of Environmental Chemicals in the Etiology of Learning Difficulties: A Novel Theoretical Framework. MIND, BRAIN AND EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL MIND, BRAIN, AND EDUCATION SOCIETY 2023; 17:301-311. [PMID: 38389544 PMCID: PMC10881209 DOI: 10.1111/mbe.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Children from economically disadvantaged communities have a disproportionate risk of exposure to chemicals, social stress, and learning difficulties. Although animal models and epidemiologic studies link exposures and neurodevelopment, little focus has been paid to academic outcomes in environmental health studies. Similarly, in the educational literature, environmental chemical exposures are overlooked as potential etiologic factors in learning difficulties. We propose a theoretical framework for the etiology of learning difficulties that focuses on these understudied exogenous factors. We discuss findings from animal models and longitudinal, prospective birth cohort studies that support this theoretical framework. Studies reviewed point to the effects of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on reading comprehension and math skills via effects on inhibitory control processes. Long term, this work will help close the achievement gap in the United States by identifying behavioral and neural pathways from prenatal exposures to learning difficulties in children from economically disadvantaged families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E. Margolis
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- New York State Psychiatric Institute
| | - Paige Greenwood
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Alex Dranovsky
- New York State Psychiatric Institute
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Virginia Rauh
- Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
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Moulaei K, Bahaadinbeigy K, Mashoof E, Dinari F. Design and development of a mobile-based self-care application for patients with depression and anxiety disorders. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2023; 23:199. [PMID: 37784042 PMCID: PMC10544565 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-023-02308-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Depression and anxiety can cause social, behavioral, occupational, and functional impairments if not controlled and managed. Mobile-based self-care applications can play an essential and effective role in controlling and reducing the effects of anxiety disorders and depression. The aim of this study was to design and develop a mobile-based self-care application for patients with depression and anxiety disorders with the goal of enhancing their mental health and overall well-being. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study we designed a mobile-based application for self -management of depression and anxiety disorders. In order to design this application, first the education- informational needs and capabilities were identified through a systematic review. Then, according to 20 patients with depression and anxiety, this education-informational needs and application capabilities were approved. In the next step, the application was designed. RESULTS In the first step, 80 education-information needs and capabilities were identified. Finally, in the second step, of 80 education- informational needs and capabilities, 68 needs and capabilities with a mean greater than and equal to 3.75 (75%) were considered in application design. Disease control and management, drug management, nutrition and diet management, recording clinical records, communicating with physicians and other patients, reminding appointments, how to improve lifestyle, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption, educational content, sedation instructions, introducing health care centers for depression and anxiety treatment and recording activities, personal goals and habits in a diary were the most important features of this application. CONCLUSION The designed application can encourage patients with depression and stress to perform self-care processes and access necessary information without searching the Internet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Moulaei
- Department of Health Information Technology, Faculty of Paramedical, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Kambiz Bahaadinbeigy
- Medical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Esmat Mashoof
- Department of Health Information Technology, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Dinari
- Medical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Hernandez-Castro I, Eckel SP, Howe CG, Niu Z, Kannan K, Robinson M, Foley HB, Yang T, Vigil MJ, Chen X, Grubbs B, Lerner D, Lurvey N, Al-Marayati L, Habre R, Dunton GF, Farzan SF, Aung MT, Breton CV, Bastain TM. Prenatal exposures to organophosphate ester metabolite mixtures and children's neurobehavioral outcomes in the MADRES pregnancy cohort. Environ Health 2023; 22:66. [PMID: 37737180 PMCID: PMC10515433 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01017-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests organophosphate esters (OPEs) are neurotoxic; however, the epidemiological literature remains scarce. We investigated whether prenatal exposures to OPEs were associated with child neurobehavior in the MADRES cohort. METHODS We measured nine OPE metabolites in 204 maternal urine samples (gestational age at collection: 31.4 ± 1.8 weeks). Neurobehavior problems were assessed among 36-month-old children using the Child Behavior Checklist's (CBCL) three composite scales [internalizing, externalizing, and total problems]. We examined associations between tertiles of prenatal OPE metabolites (> 50% detection) and detect/non-detect categories (< 50% detection) and CBCL composite scales using linear regression and generalized additive models. We also examined mixtures for widely detected OPEs (n = 5) using Bayesian kernel machine regression. RESULTS Maternal participants with detectable versus non-detectable levels of bis(2-methylphenyl) phosphate (BMPP) had children with 42% (95% CI: 4%, 96%) higher externalizing, 45% (-2%, 114%) higher internalizing, and 35% (3%, 78%) higher total problems. Participants in the second versus first tertile of bis(butoxethyl) phosphate (BBOEP) had children with 43% (-1%, 109%) higher externalizing scores. Bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCIPP) and child sex had a statistically significant interaction in internalizing (p = 0.02) and total problems (p = 0.03) models, with 120% (23%, 295%) and 57% (6%, 134%) higher scores in the third versus first BCIPP tertile among males. Among females, detectable vs non-detectable levels of prenatal BMPP were associated with 69% higher externalizing scores (5%, 170%) while the third versus first tertile of prenatal BBOEP was associated with 45% lower total problems (-68%, -6%). Although the metabolite mixture and each CBCL outcome had null associations, we observed marginal associations between di-n-butyl phosphate and di-isobutyl phosphate (DNBP + DIBP) and higher internalizing scores (0.15; 95% CrI: -0.02, 0.32), holding other metabolites at their median. CONCLUSIONS Our results generally suggest adverse and sex-specific effects of prenatal exposure to previously understudied OPEs on neurobehavioral outcomes in 36-month children, providing evidence of potential OPE neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ixel Hernandez-Castro
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sandrah P Eckel
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Zhongzheng Niu
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Morgan Robinson
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Helen B Foley
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tingyu Yang
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mario J Vigil
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xinci Chen
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brendan Grubbs
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Laila Al-Marayati
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rima Habre
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Genevieve F Dunton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shohreh F Farzan
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Max T Aung
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Theresa M Bastain
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Dewey D, Martin JW, MacDonald AM, Kinniburgh DW, Letourneau N, Giesbrecht GF, Field CJ, Bell RC, England-Mason G. Sex-specific associations between maternal phthalate exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children at 2 years of age in the APrON cohort. Neurotoxicology 2023; 98:48-60. [PMID: 37517784 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is inconsistent evidence regarding the sex-specific associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and children's neurodevelopment. This could be due to differences in the phthalate exposures investigated and the neurodevelopmental domains assessed. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex-specific outcomes on measures of cognition, language, motor, executive function, and behaviour in children 2 years of age in the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort. METHODS We evaluated the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex-specific neurodevelopmental outcomes in children at 2 years of age using data from 448 mothers and their children (222 girls, 226 boys). Nine phthalate metabolites were measured in maternal urine collected in the second trimester of pregnancy. Children's cognitive, language, and motor outcomes were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - Third Edition (Bayley-III). Parents completed questionnaires on children's executive function and behavior, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function- Preschool Version (BRIEF-P) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), respectively. Sex-stratified robust multivariate regressions were performed. RESULTS Higher maternal concentrations of ΣDEHP and its metabolites were associated with lower scores on the Bayley-III Cognitive (β's from -11.8 to -0.07 95% CI's from -21.3 to -0.01), Language (β's from -11.7 to -0. 09, 95% CI's from -22.3 to -0.02) and Motor (β's from -10.9 to -0.07, 95% CI from -20.4 to -0.01) composites in boys. The patterns of association in girls were in the opposite direction on the Cognitive and Language composites; on the Motor composite they were in the same direction as boys, but of reduced strength. Higher concentrations of ΣDEHP and its metabolites were associated with higher scores (i.e., more difficulties) on all measures of executive function in girls: inhibitory self-control (B's from 0.05 to 0.11, 95% CI s from -0.01 to 0.15), flexibility (B's from 0.04 to 0.11, 95% CI s from 0.01 to 0.21) and emergent metacognition (B's from -0.01 to 0.06, 95% CIs from -0.01 to 0.20). Similar patterns of attenuated associations were seen in boys. Higher concentrations of ΣDEHP and its metabolites were associated with more Externalizing Problems in girls and boys (B's from 0.03 to 6.82, 95% CIs from -0.08 to 12.0). Two phthalates, MMP and MBP, had sex-specific adverse associations on measures of executive function and behaviour, respectively, while MEP was positively associated with boys' cognitive, language, and motor performance. Limited associations were observed between mixtures of maternal phthalates and sex-specific neurodevelopmental outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Maternal prenatal concentrations of DEHP phthalates were associated with sex specific difference on measures of cognition and language at 2 years of age, specifically, poorer outcomes in boys. Higher exposure to DEHP was associated with poorer motor, executive function, and behavioural outcomes in girls and boys but the strength of these associations differed by sex. Limited associations were noted between phthalate mixtures and child neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Dewey
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Department of Environmental Science, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amy M MacDonald
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David W Kinniburgh
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Letourneau
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Nursing, Univerity of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gerald F Giesbrecht
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine J Field
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutrition Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rhonda C Bell
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutrition Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gillian England-Mason
- Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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19
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Wang H, Wan Y, Liu Q, Xie X, Zhu K, Jiang Q, Feng Y, Xiao P, Xiang Z, Zhang Q, Fan Y, Wu X, Zhu Y, Song R. Association between urinary 2-hydroxyethyl mercapturic acid and dyslexia among school-aged children. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:101091-101098. [PMID: 37646928 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29418-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Ethylene oxide is commonly used in industrial synthesis and medical disinfection. It is a known human carcinogen and has neurotoxicity. However, the association between ethylene oxide exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between urinary concentrations of 2-hydroxyethyl mercapturic acid (HEMA; metabolite of ethylene oxide) and dyslexia among school-aged children. A total of 355 dyslexic children and 390 controls from three cities in China were enrolled in this case-control study from November 2017 to December 2020. Urinary HEMA was detected in 100% of the urine samples, suggesting widespread exposure to ethylene oxide in the children. Notably, the children with dyslexia had higher concentrations of urinary HEMA compared to the controls (geometric mean: 2.92 vs. 2.47 ng/mL) (P = 0.004). In the multivariable-adjusted model, urinary concentrations of HEMA were significantly associated with dyslexia risk. The individuals within the highest HEMA concentration demonstrated a 1.97-fold increased odds of dyslexia compared to those within the lowest quartile (95% confidence interval: 1.20-3.23). Thus, these findings suggested the possible link between HEMA levels and the risk of dyslexia. Further studies are warranted to validate this finding and illustrate the underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxue Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yanjian Wan
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, 430024, Hubei, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xinyan Xie
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Kaiheng Zhu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Qi Jiang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yanan Feng
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Pei Xiao
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhen Xiang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Quan Zhang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yixi Fan
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xvfang Wu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Ranran Song
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE (Ministry of Education) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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Payne-Sturges DC, Taiwo TK, Ellickson K, Mullen H, Tchangalova N, Anderko L, Chen A, Swanson M. Disparities in Toxic Chemical Exposures and Associated Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Scoping Review and Systematic Evidence Map of the Epidemiological Literature. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:96001. [PMID: 37754677 PMCID: PMC10525348 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are routinely exposed to chemicals known or suspected of harming brain development. Targeting Environmental Neuro-Development Risks (Project TENDR), an alliance of > 50 leading scientists, health professionals, and advocates, is working to protect children from these toxic chemicals and pollutants, especially the disproportionate exposures experienced by children from families with low incomes and families of color. OBJECTIVE This scoping review was initiated to map existing literature on disparities in neurodevelopmental outcomes for U.S. children from population groups who have been historically economically/socially marginalized and exposed to seven exemplar neurotoxicants: combustion-related air pollution (AP), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), organophosphate pesticides (OPs), phthalates (Phth), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). METHODS Systematic literature searches for the seven exemplar chemicals, informed by the Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome (PECO) framework, were conducted through 18 November 2022, using PubMed, CINAHL Plus (EBSCO), GreenFILE (EBSCO), and Web of Science sources. We examined these studies regarding authors' conceptualization and operationalization of race, ethnicity, and other indicators of sociodemographic and socioeconomic disadvantage; whether studies presented data on exposure and outcome disparities and the patterns of those disparities; and the evidence of effect modification by or interaction with race and ethnicity. RESULTS Two hundred twelve individual studies met the search criteria and were reviewed, resulting in 218 studies or investigations being included in this review. AP and Pb were the most commonly studied exposures. The most frequently identified neurodevelopmental outcomes were cognitive and behavioral/psychological. Approximately a third (74 studies) reported investigations of interactions or effect modification with 69% (51 of 74 studies) reporting the presence of interactions or effect modification. However, less than half of the studies presented data on disparities in the outcome or the exposure, and fewer conducted formal tests of heterogeneity. Ninety-two percent of the 165 articles that examined race and ethnicity did not provide an explanation of their constructs for these variables, creating an incomplete picture. DISCUSSION As a whole, the studies we reviewed indicated a complex story about how racial and ethnic minority and low-income children may be disproportionately harmed by exposures to neurotoxicants, and this has implications for targeting interventions, policy change, and other necessary investments to eliminate these health disparities. We provide recommendations on improving environmental epidemiological studies on environmental health disparities. To achieve environmental justice and health equity, we recommend concomitant strategies to eradicate both neurotoxic chemical exposures and systems that perpetuate social inequities. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11750.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristie Ellickson
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haley Mullen
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Laura Anderko
- M. Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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21
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Baker BH, Zhang S, Simon JM, McLarnan SM, Chung WK, Pearson BL. Environmental carcinogens disproportionally mutate genes implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1106573. [PMID: 37599994 PMCID: PMC10435087 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1106573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction De novo mutations contribute to a large proportion of sporadic psychiatric and developmental disorders, yet the potential role of environmental carcinogens as drivers of causal de novo mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders is poorly studied. Methods To explore environmental mutation vulnerability of disease-associated gene sets, we analyzed publicly available whole genome sequencing datasets of mutations in human induced pluripotent stem cell clonal lines exposed to 12 classes of environmental carcinogens, and human lung cancers from individuals living in highly polluted regions. We compared observed rates of exposure-induced mutations in disease-related gene sets with the expected rates of mutations based on control genes randomly sampled from the genome using exact binomial tests. To explore the role of sequence characteristics in mutation vulnerability, we modeled the effects of sequence length, gene expression, and percent GC content on mutation rates of entire genes and gene coding sequences using multivariate Quasi-Poisson regressions. Results We demonstrate that several mutagens, including radiation and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, disproportionately mutate genes related to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other disease genes including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, congenital heart disease, orofacial clefts, and coronary artery disease were generally not mutated more than expected. Longer sequence length was more strongly associated with elevated mutations in entire genes compared with mutations in coding sequences. Increased expression was associated with decreased coding sequence mutation rate, but not with the mutability of entire genes. Increased GC content was associated with increased coding sequence mutation rates but decreased mutation rates in entire genes. Discussion Our findings support the possibility that neurodevelopmental disorder genetic etiology is partially driven by a contribution of environment-induced germ line and somatic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennan H. Baker
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shaoyi Zhang
- Master of Public Health Program, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jeremy M. Simon
- Department of Genetics and Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah M. McLarnan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wendy K. Chung
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Brandon L. Pearson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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Rahai R, Evans GW. Cumulative Neurotoxicological Air Pollution Exposure Is Associated with Lower Reading Improvement and Diminished Benefits of Literacy Interventions for Urban Elementary Students of Color. J Urban Health 2023; 100:493-503. [PMID: 37335466 PMCID: PMC10323057 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-023-00746-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The cognitive and behavioral deficits associated with air pollution exposure may have far-reaching negative effects on children's scholastic achievement. Moreover, air pollution may be conditioning the success of educational investments that support students who face greatest levels of societal adversity. This study examined the direct main effects of cumulative neurotoxicological exposure on annual reading improvement. We also tested the statistical interaction (i.e., moderation) of neurotoxicological exposure and academic intervention sessions on annual reading improvement for a large sample of ethnic minority (95%) elementary school children (n = 6080, k-6th grade) enrolled in a standard literacy enrichment program. These children were all behind grade level in reading and attended predominantly low-income schools (n = 85) in urban settings across the state of California. Multi-level modeling assessments accounted for random effects associated with school and neighborhood environments, and incorporated extensive individual, school, and community level covariates. Findings show individual elementary students of color to progress less in reading when exposed to greater accumulations of neurotoxin air pollution in their home and school environments, with the average deficit equivalent to 1.5 weeks of learning delay per year. Findings also show neurotoxicological exposure to diminish the efficacy of literacy intervention sessions received on reading improvement throughout the school year. Results suggest that pollution abatement can be a salient strategy to help bridge the child educational achievement gap. In addition to several methodological strengths, this study is one of the first to show that ambient pollution can undermine program efficacy of a literacy enrichment program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouzbeh Rahai
- Department of Human Centered Design, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, T57, Human Ecology Building, 37 Forest Home Dr., NY 14853 Ithaca, USA
| | - Gary William Evans
- Department of Human Centered Design, Department of Psychology, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, T57, Human Ecology Building, 37 Forest Home Dr., NY 14853 Ithaca, USA
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23
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Yildiz H, Bayrakli B, Altuntas M, Celik I. Metal concentrations, selenium-mercury balance, and potential health risk assessment for consumer of whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus L., 1758) from different regions of the southern Black Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:65059-65073. [PMID: 37074608 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The significant increase in the human population and the associated industrial wastes have a widespread impact on coastal areas. It is important to monitor trace elements that affect food safety and pose a potential consumer health threat. All over the Black Sea coast, people enjoy consuming whiting as both meat and roe. In February 2021, whitings were caught by bottom trawling from four different locations on the coasts of Kastamonu, Sinop (Sarıkum, Adabaşı), and Samsun in the southern Black Sea region. The meat and roe extracts obtained from whiting samples were analyzed through an optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). Trace element concentrations of whiting meat and roe in this study were Zn > Fe > Sr > As > Al > Se > B > Mn > Cu > Hg > Li > Ni > Ba > Pb > Cr > Cd and Zn > Fe > Al > As > Cu > Sr > Mn > Se > B > Ba > Li > Ni > Hg > Cr > Pb > Cd, respectively. These amounts were lower than the acceptable values accepted by the EU Commission. In case of whiting and roe consumption of a maximum of three portions (860.33 g) for Adabaşı, six portions for Kastamonu (1432.37 g), three portions for Samsun (828.55 g), and five portions (1253.04 g) for Sarıkum per month do not pose a health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harun Yildiz
- Vocational School, Yaolva University, Yalova, Turkey
| | - Barış Bayrakli
- Vocational School, Sinop University, 57000, Sinop, Turkey.
| | - Mutlu Altuntas
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Arts and Science, Sinop University, 57000, Sinop, Turkey
| | - Ihsan Celik
- Aquaculture of Department, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
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Göl E, Çok İ, Battal D, Şüküroğlu AA. Assessment of Preschool Children's Exposure Levels to Organophosphate and Pyrethroid Pesticide: A Human Biomonitoring Study in Two Turkish Provinces. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 84:318-331. [PMID: 36877224 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-00986-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Pesticides are products developed to prevent, destroy, repel or control certain forms of plant or animal life that are considered to be pests. However, now they are one of the critical risk factors threatening the environment, and they create a significant threat to the health of children. Organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) pesticides are widely used in Turkey as well as all over the world. The main focus of this presented study was to analyze the OP and PYR exposure levels in urine samples obtained from 3- to 6-year-old Turkish preschool children who live in the Ankara (n:132) and Mersin (n:54) provinces. In order to measure the concentrations of three nonspecific metabolites of PYR insecticides and four nonspecific and one specific metabolite of OPs, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses were performed. The nonspecific PYR metabolite 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) found in 87.1% of samples (n = 162) and the specific OP metabolite 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPY) found in 60.2% of samples (n = 112) were the most frequently detected metabolites in all urine samples. The mean concentrations of 3-PBA and TCPY were 0.38 ± 0.8 and 0.11 ± 0.43 ng/g creatinine, respectively. Although due to the large individual variation no statistically significant differences were found between 3-PBA (p = 0.9969) and TCPY (p = 0.6558) urine levels in the two provinces, significant exposure differences were determined both between provinces and within the province in terms of gender. Risk assessment strategies performed in light of our findings do not disclose any proof of a possible health problems related to analyzed pesticide exposure in Turkish children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ersin Göl
- Ankara Toxicology Department of the Council of Forensic Medicine, 06300, Keçiören, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İsmet Çok
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Dilek Battal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Ayça Aktaş Şüküroğlu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
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Landrigan PJ, Raps H, Cropper M, Bald C, Brunner M, Canonizado EM, Charles D, Chiles TC, Donohue MJ, Enck J, Fenichel P, Fleming LE, Ferrier-Pages C, Fordham R, Gozt A, Griffin C, Hahn ME, Haryanto B, Hixson R, Ianelli H, James BD, Kumar P, Laborde A, Law KL, Martin K, Mu J, Mulders Y, Mustapha A, Niu J, Pahl S, Park Y, Pedrotti ML, Pitt JA, Ruchirawat M, Seewoo BJ, Spring M, Stegeman JJ, Suk W, Symeonides C, Takada H, Thompson RC, Vicini A, Wang Z, Whitman E, Wirth D, Wolff M, Yousuf AK, Dunlop S. The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:23. [PMID: 36969097 PMCID: PMC10038118 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances of modern civilization in fields as diverse as medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, and sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth's environment. These harms occur at every stage of the plastic life cycle, from extraction of the coal, oil, and gas that are its main feedstocks through to ultimate disposal into the environment. The extent of these harms not been systematically assessed, their magnitude not fully quantified, and their economic costs not comprehensively counted. Goals The goals of this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health are to comprehensively examine plastics' impacts across their life cycle on: (1) human health and well-being; (2) the global environment, especially the ocean; (3) the economy; and (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, and the world's children. On the basis of this examination, the Commission offers science-based recommendations designed to support development of a Global Plastics Treaty, protect human health, and save lives. Report Structure This Commission report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents a narrative review of the processes involved in plastic production, use, and disposal and notes the hazards to human health and the environment associated with each of these stages. Section 3 describes plastics' impacts on the ocean and notes the potential for plastic in the ocean to enter the marine food web and result in human exposure. Section 4 details plastics' impacts on human health. Section 5 presents a first-order estimate of plastics' health-related economic costs. Section 6 examines the intersection between plastic, social inequity, and environmental injustice. Section 7 presents the Commission's findings and recommendations. Plastics Plastics are complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% of plastics are produced from fossil carbon- coal, oil and gas. Plastics are comprised of a carbon-based polymer backbone and thousands of additional chemicals that are incorporated into polymers to convey specific properties such as color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, and ultraviolet resistance. Many of these added chemicals are highly toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants and endocrine disruptors such as phthalates, bisphenols, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated flame retardants, and organophosphate flame retardants. They are integral components of plastic and are responsible for many of plastics' harms to human health and the environment.Global plastic production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, and in this time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) of plastic have been manufactured. Annual production volume has grown from under 2 Mt in 1950 to 460 Mt in 2019, a 230-fold increase, and is on track to triple by 2060. More than half of all plastic ever made has been produced since 2002. Single-use plastics account for 35-40% of current plastic production and represent the most rapidly growing segment of plastic manufacture.Explosive recent growth in plastics production reflects a deliberate pivot by the integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations that produce coal, oil and gas and that also manufacture plastics. These corporations are reducing their production of fossil fuels and increasing plastics manufacture. The two principal factors responsible for this pivot are decreasing global demand for carbon-based fuels due to increases in 'green' energy, and massive expansion of oil and gas production due to fracking.Plastic manufacture is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to climate change. At present, plastic production is responsible for an estimated 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the contribution of Brazil. This fraction is projected to increase to 4.5% by 2060 if current trends continue unchecked. Plastic Life Cycle The plastic life cycle has three phases: production, use, and disposal. In production, carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, and oil-are transformed through energy-intensive, catalytic processes into a vast array of products. Plastic use occurs in every aspect of modern life and results in widespread human exposure to the chemicals contained in plastic. Single-use plastics constitute the largest portion of current use, followed by synthetic fibers and construction.Plastic disposal is highly inefficient, with recovery and recycling rates below 10% globally. The result is that an estimated 22 Mt of plastic waste enters the environment each year, much of it single-use plastic and are added to the more than 6 gigatons of plastic waste that have accumulated since 1950. Strategies for disposal of plastic waste include controlled and uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, and export. Vast quantities of plastic waste are exported each year from high-income to low-income countries, where it accumulates in landfills, pollutes air and water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches and estuaries, and harms human health-environmental injustice on a global scale. Plastic-laden e-waste is particularly problematic. Environmental Findings Plastics and plastic-associated chemicals are responsible for widespread pollution. They contaminate aquatic (marine and freshwater), terrestrial, and atmospheric environments globally. The ocean is the ultimate destination for much plastic, and plastics are found throughout the ocean, including coastal regions, the sea surface, the deep sea, and polar sea ice. Many plastics appear to resist breakdown in the ocean and could persist in the global environment for decades. Macro- and micro-plastic particles have been identified in hundreds of marine species in all major taxa, including species consumed by humans. Trophic transfer of microplastic particles and the chemicals within them has been demonstrated. Although microplastic particles themselves (>10 µm) appear not to undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic plastic-associated chemicals bioaccumulate in marine animals and biomagnify in marine food webs. The amounts and fates of smaller microplastic and nanoplastic particles (MNPs <10 µm) in aquatic environments are poorly understood, but the potential for harm is worrying given their mobility in biological systems. Adverse environmental impacts of plastic pollution occur at multiple levels from molecular and biochemical to population and ecosystem. MNP contamination of seafood results in direct, though not well quantified, human exposure to plastics and plastic-associated chemicals. Marine plastic pollution endangers the ocean ecosystems upon which all humanity depends for food, oxygen, livelihood, and well-being. Human Health Findings Coal miners, oil workers and gas field workers who extract fossil carbon feedstocks for plastic production suffer increased mortality from traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Plastic production workers are at increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, neurotoxic injury, and decreased fertility. Workers producing plastic textiles die of bladder cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and interstitial lung disease at increased rates. Plastic recycling workers have increased rates of cardiovascular disease, toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, and lung cancer. Residents of "fenceline" communities adjacent to plastic production and waste disposal sites experience increased risks of premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood leukemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.During use and also in disposal, plastics release toxic chemicals including additives and residual monomers into the environment and into people. National biomonitoring surveys in the USA document population-wide exposures to these chemicals. Plastic additives disrupt endocrine function and increase risk for premature births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive birth defects, infertility, obesity, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed through the environmental degradation of plastic waste can enter living organisms, including humans. Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates that MNPs may cause toxicity due to their physical and toxicological effects as well as by acting as vectors that transport toxic chemicals and bacterial pathogens into tissues and cells.Infants in the womb and young children are two populations at particularly high risk of plastic-related health effects. Because of the exquisite sensitivity of early development to hazardous chemicals and children's unique patterns of exposure, plastic-associated exposures are linked to increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, low birth weight, birth defects of the reproductive organs, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer. Early-life exposures to plastic-associated chemicals also increase the risk of multiple non-communicable diseases later in life. Economic Findings Plastic's harms to human health result in significant economic costs. We estimate that in 2015 the health-related costs of plastic production exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, and that in the USA alone the health costs of disease and disability caused by the plastic-associated chemicals PBDE, BPA and DEHP exceeded $920 billion (2015 Int$). Plastic production results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equivalent to 1.96 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) social cost of carbon metric, we estimate the annual costs of these GHG emissions to be $341 billion (2015 Int$).These costs, large as they are, almost certainly underestimate the full economic losses resulting from plastics' negative impacts on human health and the global environment. All of plastics' economic costs-and also its social costs-are externalized by the petrochemical and plastic manufacturing industry and are borne by citizens, taxpayers, and governments in countries around the world without compensation. Social Justice Findings The adverse effects of plastics and plastic pollution on human health, the economy and the environment are not evenly distributed. They disproportionately affect poor, disempowered, and marginalized populations such as workers, racial and ethnic minorities, "fenceline" communities, Indigenous groups, women, and children, all of whom had little to do with creating the current plastics crisis and lack the political influence or the resources to address it. Plastics' harmful impacts across its life cycle are most keenly felt in the Global South, in small island states, and in disenfranchised areas in the Global North. Social and environmental justice (SEJ) principles require reversal of these inequitable burdens to ensure that no group bears a disproportionate share of plastics' negative impacts and that those who benefit economically from plastic bear their fair share of its currently externalized costs. Conclusions It is now clear that current patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal are not sustainable and are responsible for significant harms to human health, the environment, and the economy as well as for deep societal injustices.The main driver of these worsening harms is an almost exponential and still accelerating increase in global plastic production. Plastics' harms are further magnified by low rates of recovery and recycling and by the long persistence of plastic waste in the environment.The thousands of chemicals in plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, and non-intentionally added substances-include amongst their number known human carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, and persistent organic pollutants. These chemicals are responsible for many of plastics' known harms to human and planetary health. The chemicals leach out of plastics, enter the environment, cause pollution, and result in human exposure and disease. All efforts to reduce plastics' hazards must address the hazards of plastic-associated chemicals. Recommendations To protect human and planetary health, especially the health of vulnerable and at-risk populations, and put the world on track to end plastic pollution by 2040, this Commission supports urgent adoption by the world's nations of a strong and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty in accord with the mandate set forth in the March 2022 resolution of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures such as a Global Plastics Treaty are needed to curb plastic production and pollution, because the harms to human health and the environment caused by plastics, plastic-associated chemicals and plastic waste transcend national boundaries, are planetary in their scale, and have disproportionate impacts on the health and well-being of people in the world's poorest nations. Effective implementation of the Global Plastics Treaty will require that international action be coordinated and complemented by interventions at the national, regional, and local levels.This Commission urges that a cap on global plastic production with targets, timetables, and national contributions be a central provision of the Global Plastics Treaty. We recommend inclusion of the following additional provisions:The Treaty needs to extend beyond microplastics and marine litter to include all of the many thousands of chemicals incorporated into plastics.The Treaty needs to include a provision banning or severely restricting manufacture and use of unnecessary, avoidable, and problematic plastic items, especially single-use items such as manufactured plastic microbeads.The Treaty needs to include requirements on extended producer responsibility (EPR) that make fossil carbon producers, plastic producers, and the manufacturers of plastic products legally and financially responsible for the safety and end-of-life management of all the materials they produce and sell.The Treaty needs to mandate reductions in the chemical complexity of plastic products; health-protective standards for plastics and plastic additives; a requirement for use of sustainable non-toxic materials; full disclosure of all components; and traceability of components. International cooperation will be essential to implementing and enforcing these standards.The Treaty needs to include SEJ remedies at each stage of the plastic life cycle designed to fill gaps in community knowledge and advance both distributional and procedural equity.This Commission encourages inclusion in the Global Plastic Treaty of a provision calling for exploration of listing at least some plastic polymers as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention.This Commission encourages a strong interface between the Global Plastics Treaty and the Basel and London Conventions to enhance management of hazardous plastic waste and slow current massive exports of plastic waste into the world's least-developed countries.This Commission recommends the creation of a Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body to guide the Treaty's implementation. The main priorities of this Body would be to guide Member States and other stakeholders in evaluating which solutions are most effective in reducing plastic consumption, enhancing plastic waste recovery and recycling, and curbing the generation of plastic waste. This Body could also assess trade-offs among these solutions and evaluate safer alternatives to current plastics. It could monitor the transnational export of plastic waste. It could coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, and air-based MNP monitoring programs.This Commission recommends urgent investment by national governments in research into solutions to the global plastic crisis. This research will need to determine which solutions are most effective and cost-effective in the context of particular countries and assess the risks and benefits of proposed solutions. Oceanographic and environmental research is needed to better measure concentrations and impacts of plastics <10 µm and understand their distribution and fate in the global environment. Biomedical research is needed to elucidate the human health impacts of plastics, especially MNPs. Summary This Commission finds that plastics are both a boon to humanity and a stealth threat to human and planetary health. Plastics convey enormous benefits, but current linear patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal that pay little attention to sustainable design or safe materials and a near absence of recovery, reuse, and recycling are responsible for grave harms to health, widespread environmental damage, great economic costs, and deep societal injustices. These harms are rapidly worsening.While there remain gaps in knowledge about plastics' harms and uncertainties about their full magnitude, the evidence available today demonstrates unequivocally that these impacts are great and that they will increase in severity in the absence of urgent and effective intervention at global scale. Manufacture and use of essential plastics may continue. However, reckless increases in plastic production, and especially increases in the manufacture of an ever-increasing array of unnecessary single-use plastic products, need to be curbed.Global intervention against the plastic crisis is needed now because the costs of failure to act will be immense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J. Landrigan
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Medical Biology Department, MC
| | - Hervé Raps
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Medical Biology Department, MC
| | - Maureen Cropper
- Economics Department, University of Maryland, College Park, US
| | - Caroline Bald
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Fenichel
- Université Côte d’Azur
- Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire de Nice, FR
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, UK
| | | | | | | | - Carly Griffin
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, US
| | - Budi Haryanto
- Department of Environmental Health, Universitas Indonesia, ID
- Research Center for Climate Change, Universitas Indonesia, ID
| | - Richard Hixson
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Hannah Ianelli
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Bryan D. James
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | | | - Amalia Laborde
- Department of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of the Republic, UY
| | | | - Keith Martin
- Consortium of Universities for Global Health, US
| | - Jenna Mu
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | - Adetoun Mustapha
- Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
- Lead City University, NG
| | - Jia Niu
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, US
| | - Sabine Pahl
- University of Vienna, Austria
- University of Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Maria-Luiza Pedrotti
- Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche sur mer (LOV), Sorbonne Université, FR
| | | | | | - Bhedita Jaya Seewoo
- Minderoo Foundation, AU
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, AU
| | | | - John J. Stegeman
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | - William Suk
- Superfund Research Program, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US
| | | | - Hideshige Takada
- Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (LOG), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, JP
| | | | | | - Zhanyun Wang
- Technology and Society Laboratory, WEmpa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials and Technology, CH
| | - Ella Whitman
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | | | - Aroub K. Yousuf
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Sarah Dunlop
- Minderoo Foundation, AU
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, AU
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Williamson AA, Johnson TJ, Tapia IE. Health disparities in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. Paediatr Respir Rev 2023; 45:2-7. [PMID: 35277358 PMCID: PMC9329494 DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Sleep-disordered breathing reflects a continuum of overnight breathing difficulties, ranging from mild snoring to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep-disordered breathing in childhood is associated with significant adverse outcomes in multiple domains of functioning. This review summarizes the evidence of well-described ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic disparities in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, from its prevalence to its treatment-related outcomes. Research on potential socio-ecological contributors to these disparities is also reviewed. Critical future research directions include the development of interventions that address the modifiable social and environmental determinants of these health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel A Williamson
- Sleep Center, Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tiffani J Johnson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ignacio E Tapia
- Sleep Center, Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Fowler CH, Bagdasarov A, Camacho NL, Reuben A, Gaffrey MS. Toxicant exposure and the developing brain: A systematic review of the structural and functional MRI literature. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:105006. [PMID: 36535373 PMCID: PMC9922521 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Youth worldwide are regularly exposed to pollutants and chemicals (i.e., toxicants) that may interfere with healthy brain development, and a surge in MRI research has begun to characterize the neurobiological consequences of these exposures. Here, a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted on developmental MRI studies of toxicants with known or suspected neurobiological impact. Associations were reviewed for 9 toxicant classes, including metals, air pollution, and flame retardants. Of 1264 identified studies, 46 met inclusion criteria. Qualitative synthesis revealed that most studies: (1) investigated air pollutants or metals, (2) assessed exposures prenatally, (3) assessed the brain in late middle childhood, (4) took place in North America or Western Europe, (5) drew samples from existing cohort studies, and (6) have been published since 2017. Given substantial heterogeneity in MRI measures, toxicant measures, and age groups assessed, more research is needed on all toxicants reviewed here. Future studies should also include larger samples, employ personal exposure monitoring, study independent samples in diverse world regions, and assess toxicant mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aaron Reuben
- Duke University, 417 Chapel Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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KARAGÖZ D. Investigation of Clinical Characteristics of Children and Adolescents Followed under Health Precaution. PSIKIYATRIDE GUNCEL YAKLASIMLAR - CURRENT APPROACHES IN PSYCHIATRY 2022. [DOI: 10.18863/pgy.1167774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of children and adolescents who were followed in the child psychiatry clinic in the scope of the health precaution, which is one of the protective and supportive measures of the Child Protection Law. 112 children and adolescents who were followed up at the child psychiatry clinic between 01.01.2020 and 01.01.2022 in the scope of health precaution, participated in this study. The clinic files and social examination reports of the participants were examined retrospectively. It was determined that the most common reasons for taking a health precaution decision are sexual abuse, deficiencies of basic needs/neglect and behavioral problems. Moreover, it showed that the rate of taking health precaution due to sexual abuse was higher in girls however the rate of that due to delinquency was more common in boys. It was determined that 72.3% of the children, who were followed up in the scope of health precaution, were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, and the most common psychiatric disorders were attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, major depressive disorder, specific learning disability and intellectual disability, respectively. In the group with psychiatric disorders, it was determined that the deficiencies of basic needs/neglect as a reason for taking health precaution, was significantly common and that the mothers of the children and adolescents in the group with psychiatric disorders had a higher rate of diagnosed psychiatric disorders. Given the fact that abuse and neglect come first among the reasons for the implementation of health precaution; it is vital to develop early intervention programs to protect children from neglect and abuse. Since the effects of neglect and abuse on children can be devastating and long lasting and as it is known that they are risk factors for many psychiatric disorders, regular follow-up and treatment of these children in the scope of health precaution is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duygu KARAGÖZ
- MUĞLA SITKI KOÇMAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ, DAHİLİ TIP BİLİMLERİ BÖLÜMÜ, ÇOCUK VE ERGEN RUH SAĞLIĞI HASTALIKLARI ANABİLİM DALI
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Ayeni EA, Aldossary AM, Ayejoto DA, Gbadegesin LA, Alshehri AA, Alfassam HA, Afewerky HK, Almughem FA, Bello SM, Tawfik EA. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Implications of Environmental and Climatic Influences on Neurotransmitters and Neuronal Hormones Activities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191912495. [PMID: 36231792 PMCID: PMC9564880 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative and neuronal-related diseases are major public health concerns. Human vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) increases with age. Neuronal hormones and neurotransmitters are major determinant factors regulating brain structure and functions. The implications of environmental and climatic changes emerged recently as influence factors on numerous diseases. However, the complex interaction of neurotransmitters and neuronal hormones and their depletion under environmental and climatic influences on NDDs are not well established in the literature. In this review, we aim to explore the connection between the environmental and climatic factors to NDDs and to highlight the available and potential therapeutic interventions that could use to improve the quality of life and reduce susceptibility to NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel A. Ayeni
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ahmad M. Aldossary
- National Center of Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel A. Ayejoto
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Ilorin 240003, Nigeria
| | - Lanre A. Gbadegesin
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Abdullah A. Alshehri
- National Center of Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haya A. Alfassam
- KACST-BWH Center of Excellence for Biomedicine, Joint Centers of Excellence Program, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Henok K. Afewerky
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
- School of Allied Health Professions, Asmara College of Health Sciences, Asmara P.O. Box 1220, Eritrea
| | - Fahad A. Almughem
- National Center of Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saidu M. Bello
- Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Essam A. Tawfik
- National Center of Biotechnology, Life Science and Environment Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
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Philippova A, Malkina O, Korotun V, Shatova E. Impact of Noise on the Mental Health of Megapolis Adolescents. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.10549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mental health is one of the most significant components of overall health conditions. Mental health well-being results from genetic, psychological, and neuropsychological processes interacting with environmental and social influences.
AIM: The study aims to examine the impact of noise on the psyche of megapolis adolescents and determine their levels of anxiety, depression, and stress susceptibility depending on the level of noise.
MATHERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 322 adolescents (180 girls and 142 boys) aged 15 to 17 years, divided into two groups.
RESULTS: Higher noise levels lead to greater vulnerability of adolescents to depression, anxiety, and stress. High noise levels provoke a 1.56 times (p < 0.05) greater incidence of depression on the HAM-D scale than among adolescents living with lower noise levels. Constant exposure to moderate noise levels showed 1.60 times (p < 0.05) higher anxiety levels on the HAM-A scale.
CONCLUSION: High noise levels adversely affect the psyche of megapolis adolescents. The higher the noise level, the more adolescents were exposed to depression, anxiety, and stress. Increased noise levels negatively affect the psyche of megapolis adolescents.
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Zúñiga-Venegas LA, Hyland C, Muñoz-Quezada MT, Quirós-Alcalá L, Butinof M, Buralli R, Cardenas A, Fernandez RA, Foerster C, Gouveia N, Gutiérrez Jara JP, Lucero BA, Muñoz MP, Ramírez-Santana M, Smith AR, Tirado N, van Wendel de Joode B, Calaf GM, Handal AJ, Soares da Silva A, Cortés S, Mora AM. Health Effects of Pesticide Exposure in Latin American and the Caribbean Populations: A Scoping Review. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:96002. [PMID: 36173136 PMCID: PMC9521041 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to pesticides is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, the literature on pesticide-related health effects in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region, an area of intensive agricultural and residential pesticide use, is sparse. We conducted a scoping review to describe the current state of research on the health effects of pesticide exposure in LAC populations with the goal of identifying knowledge gaps and research capacity building needs. METHODS We searched PubMed and SciELO for epidemiological studies on pesticide exposure and human health in LAC populations published between January 2007 and December 2021. We identified 233 publications from 16 countries that met our inclusion criteria and grouped them by health outcome (genotoxicity, neurobehavioral outcomes, placental outcomes and teratogenicity, cancer, thyroid function, reproductive outcomes, birth outcomes and child growth, and others). RESULTS Most published studies were conducted in Brazil (37%, n = 88 ) and Mexico (20%, n = 46 ), were cross-sectional in design (72%, n = 167 ), and focused on farmworkers (45%, n = 105 ) or children (21%, n = 48 ). The most frequently studied health effects included genotoxicity (24%, n = 62 ) and neurobehavioral outcomes (21%, n = 54 ), and organophosphate (OP) pesticides were the most frequently examined (26%, n = 81 ). Forty-seven percent (n = 112 ) of the studies relied only on indirect pesticide exposure assessment methods. Exposure to OP pesticides, carbamates, or to multiple pesticide classes was consistently associated with markers of genotoxicity and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes, particularly among children and farmworkers. DISCUSSION Our scoping review provides some evidence that exposure to pesticides may adversely impact the health of LAC populations, but methodological limitations and inconsistencies undermine the strength of the conclusions. It is critical to increase capacity building, integrate research initiatives, and conduct more rigorous epidemiological studies in the region to address these limitations, better inform public health surveillance systems, and maximize the impact of research on public policies. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9934.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana A. Zúñiga-Venegas
- Centro de Investigaciones de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Carly Hyland
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- School of Public Health and Population Science, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Lesliam Quirós-Alcalá
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Maryland Institute of Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Mariana Butinof
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rafael Buralli
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ricardo A. Fernandez
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Claudia Foerster
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales, Universidad de O’Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | - Nelson Gouveia
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Juan P. Gutiérrez Jara
- Centro de Investigaciones de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Boris A. Lucero
- Centro de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Neurociencias Cognitivas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - María Pía Muñoz
- Escuela de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Muriel Ramírez-Santana
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Anna R. Smith
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Noemi Tirado
- Instituto de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Louisiana Paz, Bolivia
| | - Berna van Wendel de Joode
- Infants’ Environmental Health Study, Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Gloria M. Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexis J. Handal
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Sandra Cortés
- Centro Avanzado de Enfermedades Crónicas (ACCDiS), Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable, Departamento de Salud Pública, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana M. Mora
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Infants’ Environmental Health Study, Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica
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Ahmadi A, Moore F, Keshavarzi B, Shahimi H, Hooda PS. Bioaccumulation of selected trace elements in some aquatic organisms from the proximity of Qeshm Island ecosystems: Human health perspective. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113966. [PMID: 35969906 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this study selected marine species from north Persian Gulf ecosystems were collected to investigate the concentration of 15 trace elements (Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, V, Zn and Hg) in muscle and liver tissues for the purpose of evaluating potential health risks for human consumers. The results indicated that Fe, Zn, Sr, Cu and As are the most abundant TEs in the tissues of the species. The concentration of Cu in P. semisulcatus and As in most investigated species pose the highest risk of exposure. The carcinogenic risk values indicate that As and Ni concentrations in the species are above the acceptable lifetime risk for adults and children in most of the species. The margin of exposure risk approach indicated that the risk of detrimental effects due to dietary Pb intake for age groups is low, except for consumers of T. tonggol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Ahmadi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farid Moore
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Behnam Keshavarzi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran
| | - Haniyeh Shahimi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran
| | - Peter S Hooda
- School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Kingston University London, Kingston Upon Thames KT12EE, UK
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Cardenas-Iniguez C, Burnor E, Herting MM. Neurotoxicants, the Developing Brain, and Mental Health. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 2:223-232. [PMID: 35911498 PMCID: PMC9337627 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
While life in urban environments may confer a number of benefits, it may also result in a variety of exposures, with toxic consequences for neurodevelopment and neuropsychological health. Neurotoxicants are any of a large number of chemicals or substances that interfere with normal function and/or compromise adaptation in the central and/or peripheral nervous system. Evidence suggests that neurotoxicant effects have a greater effect when occurring in utero and during early childhood. Recent findings exploring neural-level mechanisms provide a crucial opportunity to explore the ways in which environmental conditions may get "under the skin" to impact a number of psychological behaviors and cognitive processes, ultimately allowing for greater synergy between macro- and microlevel efforts to improve mental health in the presence of neurotoxicant exposures. In this review, we provide an overview of 3 types of neurotoxicants related to the built environment and relevant to brain development during childhood and adolescence: lead exposure, outdoor particulate matter pollution, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We also discuss mechanisms through which these neurotoxicants affect central nervous system function, including recent evidence from neuroimaging literature. Furthermore, we discuss neurotoxicants and mental health during development in the context of social determinants and how differences in the spatial distribution of neurotoxicant exposures result in health disparities that disproportionately affect low-income and minority populations. Multifaceted approaches incorporating social systems and their effect on neurotoxicant exposures and downstream mental health will be key to reduce societal costs and improve quality of life for children, adolescents, and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Elisabeth Burnor
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Halabicky OM, Pinto-Martin JA, Compton P, Liu J. Longitudinal association of early childhood lead exposure and adolescent heart rate variability: influence of parental education. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART C, TOXICOLOGY AND CARCINOGENESIS 2022; 40:133-153. [PMID: 35895919 PMCID: PMC9339516 DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2022.2060689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Lead exposure has been shown to dysregulate physiological stress responses. However, few studies have investigated the effect of lead exposure on later heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of a stress response, in large samples of children. Furthermore, the interaction between social environmental factors and lead exposure in childhood, which commonly co-occur, remains understudied. This study examined relationships between childhood lead exposure and early adolescent physiological stress responses at different levels of parental education. Participants were 406 children from Jintan, China. Blood lead levels (BLLs) and parental education data were collected at 3-5 years of age, and HRV outcomes assessed at 12 years via frequency domain measures (LF/HF ratio) collected during an induced stress test. Results show a significant interaction between parental education and BLLs at 3-5 years. This relationship was found to be most consistent for the interaction between BLLs and mother's years of education for both the planning (β = 0.12, p = 0.046) and speaking (β = 0.11, p = 0.043) phase of the stress task, suggesting that increasing years of mother's education may enhance the deleterious influence of lead exposure on the HRV frequency measure, LF/HF ratio. This research highlights the complexity in lead exposure induced outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer A Pinto-Martin
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peggy Compton
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jianghong Liu
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Halabicky OM, Pinto-Martin JA, Compton P, Liu J. Early childhood lead exposure and adolescent heart rate variability: A longitudinal cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 205:112551. [PMID: 34915034 PMCID: PMC9214828 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Lead is a known neurotoxicant with many detrimental health effects, including neurocognitive deficits and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. However, few studies have tested the association between lead exposure and the physiological stress response, which in and of itself may act as a precursor to and/or underlying mechanism of detrimental health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of early childhood and early adolescent low-level lead exposure on early adolescent heart rate variability, a widely-used measure of physiological stress. Participants were 408 children from Jintan, China for whom blood lead levels were measured between 3 and 5 years (early childhood) and again at 12 years (early adolescence). Heart rate variability was assessed at 12 years while participants underwent an induced stress task utilizing the ratio of low to high frequency (LF/HF) ECG measures. Mean blood lead levels in the cohort were 6.63 mcg/dl and 3.10 mcg/dl at 3-5 years and 12 years, respectively. Blood lead levels at 3-5 years of age (β 0.06, p = 0.027), but not at age 12 (β -0.05, p = 0.465), were significantly associated with LF/HF measures while controlling for multiple sociodemographic variables, potentially reflecting a dysregulated stress response with a shift towards sympathetic dominance. These findings suggest that early childhood lead exposure may have a detrimental influence on early adolescent autonomic responses to acute stress, which holds implications for cardiovascular health and overall growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia M Halabicky
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd. Claire M. Fagin Hall, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Jennifer A Pinto-Martin
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd. Claire M. Fagin Hall, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 34th & Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Peggy Compton
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd. Claire M. Fagin Hall, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Jianghong Liu
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd. Claire M. Fagin Hall, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Pre- and Postnatal Fine Particulate Matter Exposure and Childhood Cognitive and Adaptive Function. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19073748. [PMID: 35409432 PMCID: PMC8997879 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19073748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence exists for an association between early life fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and several neurodevelopmental outcomes, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the association between PM2.5 and adaptive and cognitive function remains poorly understood. Participants included 658 children with ASD, 771 with a non-ASD developmental disorder, and 849 population controls from the Study to Explore Early Development. Adaptive functioning was assessed in ASD cases using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS); cognitive functioning was assessed in all groups using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL). A satellite-based model was used to assign PM2.5 exposure averages during pregnancy, each trimester, and the first year of life. Linear regression was used to estimate beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals, adjusting for maternal age, education, prenatal tobacco use, race-ethnicity, study site, and season of birth. PM2.5 exposure was associated with poorer VABS scores for several domains, including daily living skills and socialization. Associations were present between prenatal PM2.5 and lower MSEL scores for all groups combined; results were most prominent for population controls in stratified analyses. These data suggest that early life PM2.5 exposure is associated with specific aspects of cognitive and adaptive functioning in children with and without ASD.
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Swaringen BF, Gawlik E, Kamenov GD, McTigue NE, Cornwell DA, Bonzongo JCJ. Children's exposure to environmental lead: A review of potential sources, blood levels, and methods used to reduce exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112025. [PMID: 34508773 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Lead has been used for thousands of years in different anthropogenic activities thanks to its unique properties that allow for many applications such as the manufacturing of drinking water pipes and its use as additives to gasoline and paint. However, knowledge of the adverse impacts of lead on human health has led to its banning from several of its applications, with the main goal of reducing environmental pollution and protecting human health. Human exposure to lead has been linked to different sources of contamination, resulting in high blood lead levels (BLLs) and adverse health implications, primarily in exposed children. Here, we present a summary of a literature review on potential lead sources affecting blood levels and on the different approaches used to reduce human exposure. The findings show a combination of different research approaches, which include the use of inspectors to identify problematic areas in homes, collection and analysis of environmental samples, different lead detection methods (e.g. smart phone applications to identify the presence of lead and mass spectrometry techniques). Although not always the most effective way to predict BLLs in children, linear and non-linear regression models have been used to link BLLs and environmental lead. However, multiple regressions and complex modelling systems would be ideal, especially when seeking results in support of decision-making processes. Overall, lead remains a pollutant of concern and many children are still exposed to it through environmental and drinking water sources. To reduce exposure to lead through source apportionment methods, recent technological advances using high-precision lead stable isotope ratios measured on multi-collector induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) instruments have created a new direction for identifying and then eliminating prevalent lead sources associated with high BLLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin F Swaringen
- Dept. of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructures and Environment. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Emory Gawlik
- Dept. of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructures and Environment. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - George D Kamenov
- Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Nancy E McTigue
- Cornwell Engineering Group, 712 Gum Rock Ct, Newport News, VA 23606, USA
| | - David A Cornwell
- Dept. of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructures and Environment. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Cornwell Engineering Group, 712 Gum Rock Ct, Newport News, VA 23606, USA
| | - Jean-Claude J Bonzongo
- Dept. of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructures and Environment. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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Early environmental quality and life-course mental health effects: The Equal-Life project. Environ Epidemiol 2022; 6:e183. [PMID: 35169662 PMCID: PMC8835570 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is increasing evidence that a complex interplay of factors within environments in which children grows up, contributes to children’s suboptimal mental health and cognitive development. The concept of the life-course exposome helps to study the impact of the physical and social environment, including social inequities, on cognitive development and mental health over time. Methods: Equal-Life develops and tests combined exposures and their effects on children’s mental health and cognitive development. Data from eight birth-cohorts and three school studies (N = 240.000) linked to exposure data, will provide insights and policy guidance into aspects of physical and social exposures hitherto untapped, at different scale levels and timeframes, while accounting for social inequities. Reasoning from the outcome point of view, relevant stakeholders participate in the formulation and validation of research questions, and in the formulation of environmental hazards. Exposure assessment combines GIS-based environmental indicators with omics approaches and new data sources, forming the early-life exposome. Statistical tools integrate data at different spatial and temporal granularity and combine exploratory machine learning models with hypothesis-driven causal modeling. Conclusions: Equal-Life contributes to the development and utilization of the exposome concept by (1) integrating the internal, physical and social exposomes, (2) studying a distinct set of life-course effects on a child’s development and mental health (3) characterizing the child’s environment at different developmental stages and in different activity spaces, (4) looking at supportive environments for child development, rather than merely pollutants, and (5) combining physical, social indicators with novel effect markers and using new data sources describing child activity patterns and environments.
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Reuben A, Manczak EM, Cabrera LY, Alegria M, Bucher ML, Freeman EC, Miller GW, Solomon GM, Perry MJ. The Interplay of Environmental Exposures and Mental Health: Setting an Agenda. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:25001. [PMID: 35171017 PMCID: PMC8848757 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, health-effects research on environmental stressors has rarely focused on behavioral and mental health outcomes. That lack of research is beginning to change. Science and policy experts in the environmental and behavioral health sciences are coming together to explore converging evidence on the relationship-harmful or beneficial-between environmental factors and mental health. OBJECTIVES To organize evidence and catalyze new findings, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted a workshop 2-3 February 2021 on the interplay of environmental exposures and mental health outcomes. METHODS This commentary provides a nonsystematic, expert-guided conceptual review and interdisciplinary perspective on the convergence of environmental and mental health, drawing from hypotheses, findings, and research gaps presented and discussed at the workshop. Featured is an overview of what is known about the intersection of the environment and mental health, focusing on the effects of neurotoxic pollutants, threats related to climate change, and the importance of health promoting environments, such as urban green spaces. DISCUSSION We describe what can be gained by bridging environmental and psychological research disciplines and present a synthesis of what is needed to advance interdisciplinary investigations. We also consider the implications of the current evidence for a) foundational knowledge of the etiology of mental health and illness, b) toxicant policy and regulation, c) definitions of climate adaptation and community resilience, d) interventions targeting marginalized communities, and e) the future of research training and funding. We include a call to action for environmental and mental health researchers, focusing on the environmental contributions to mental health to unlock primary prevention strategies at the population level and open equitable paths for preventing mental disorders and achieving optimal mental health for all. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9889.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Reuben
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erika M. Manczak
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Laura Y. Cabrera
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Margarita Alegria
- Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Disparities Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meghan L. Bucher
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Gary W. Miller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gina M. Solomon
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA
| | - Melissa J. Perry
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Colombia, USA
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Abstract
Anesthetic agents disrupt neurodevelopment in animal models, but evidence in humans is mixed. The morphologic and behavioral changes observed across many species predicted that deficits should be seen in humans, but identifying a phenotype of injury in children has been challenging. It is increasingly clear that in children, a brief or single early anesthetic exposure is not associated with deficits in a range of neurodevelopmental outcomes including broad measures of intelligence. Deficits in other domains including behavior, however, are more consistently reported in humans and also reflect findings from nonhuman primates. The possibility that behavioral deficits are a phenotype, as well as the entire concept of anesthetic neurotoxicity in children, remains a source of intense debate. The purpose of this report is to describe consensus and disagreement among experts, summarize preclinical and clinical evidence, suggest pathways for future clinical research, and compare studies of anesthetic agents to other suspected neurotoxins.
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Pham C, Symeonides C, O'Hely M, Sly PD, Knibbs LD, Thomson S, Vuillermin P, Saffery R, Ponsonby AL. Early life environmental factors associated with autism spectrum disorder symptoms in children at age 2 years: A birth cohort study. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:1864-1881. [PMID: 35012378 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211068223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Mounting evidence indicates the contribution of early life environmental factors in autism spectrum disorder. We aim to report the prospective associations between early life environmental factors and autism spectrum disorder symptoms in children at the age of 2 years in a population-derived birth cohort, the Barwon Infant Study. Autism spectrum disorder symptoms at the age of 2 years strongly predicted autism spectrum disorder diagnosis by the age of 4 years (area under curve = 0.93; 95% CI (0.82, 1.00)). After adjusting for child's sex and age at the time of behavioural assessment, markers of socioeconomic disadvantage, such as lower household income and lone parental status; maternal health factors, including younger maternal age, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, higher gestational weight gain and prenatal maternal stress; maternal lifestyle factors, such as prenatal alcohol and environmental air pollutant exposures, including particulate matter < 2.5 μm at birth, child secondhand tobacco smoke at 12 months, dampness/mould and home heating with oil, kerosene or diesel heaters at 2 years postnatal. Lower socioeconomic indexes for area, later birth order, higher maternal prenatal depression and maternal smoking frequency had a dose-response relationship with autism spectrum disorder symptoms. Future studies on environmental factors and autism spectrum disorder should consider the reasons for the socioeconomic disparity and the combined impact of multiple environmental factors through common mechanistic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Pham
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
- The University of Melboure, Parkville, Australia
| | - Christos Symeonides
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- The University of Melboure, Parkville, Australia
| | - Martin O'Hely
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Peter D Sly
- The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Sarah Thomson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
- The University of Melboure, Parkville, Australia
| | - Peter Vuillermin
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- The University of Melboure, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anne-Louise Ponsonby
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
- The University of Melboure, Parkville, Australia
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Laue HE, Coker MO, Madan JC. The Developing Microbiome From Birth to 3 Years: The Gut-Brain Axis and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:815885. [PMID: 35321011 PMCID: PMC8936143 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.815885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The volume and breadth of research on the role of the microbiome in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders has expanded greatly over the last decade, opening doors to new models of mechanisms of the gut-brain axis and therapeutic interventions to reduce the burden of these outcomes. Studies have highlighted the window of birth to 3 years as an especially sensitive window when interventions may be the most effective. Harnessing the powerful gut-brain axis during this critical developmental window clarifies important investigations into the microbe-human connection and the developing brain, affording opportunities to prevent rather than treat neurodevelopmental disorders and neuropsychiatric illness. In this review, we present an overview of the developing intestinal microbiome in the critical window of birth to age 3; and its prospective relationship with neurodevelopment, with particular emphasis on immunological mechanisms. Next, the role of the microbiome in neurobehavioral outcomes (such as autism, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) as well as cognitive development are described. In these sections, we highlight the importance of pairing mechanistic studies in murine models with large scale epidemiological studies that aim to clarify the typical health promoting microbiome in early life across varied populations in comparison to dysbiosis. The microbiome is an important focus in human studies because it is so readily alterable with simple interventions, and we briefly outline what is known about microbiome targeted interventions in neurodevelopmental outcomes. More novel examinations of known environmental chemicals that adversely impact neurodevelopmental outcomes and the potential role of the microbiome as a mediator or modifier are discussed. Finally, we look to the future and emphasize the need for additional research to identify populations that are sensitive to alterations in their gut microbiome and clarify how interventions might correct and optimize neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Laue
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Modupe O Coker
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States.,Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Juliette C Madan
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Children's Hospital at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
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Nozadi SS, Li L, Luo L, MacKenzie D, Erdei E, Du R, Roman CW, Hoover J, O’Donald E, Burnette C, Lewis J. Prenatal Metal Exposures and Infants' Developmental Outcomes in a Navajo Population. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:425. [PMID: 35010683 PMCID: PMC8744969 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Early-life exposure to environmental toxicants can have detrimental effects on children's neurodevelopment. In the current study, we employed a causal modeling framework to examine the direct effect of specific maternal prenatal exposures on infants' neurodevelopment in the context of co-occurring metals. Maternal metal exposure and select micronutrients' concentrations were assessed using samples collected at the time of delivery from mothers living across Navajo Nation with community exposure to metal mixtures originating from abandoned uranium mines. Infants' development across five domains was measured at ages 10 to 13 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Inventory (ASQ:I), an early developmental screener. After adjusting for effects of other confounding metals and demographic variables, prenatal exposure to lead, arsenic, antimony, barium, copper, and molybdenum predicted deficits in at least one of the ASQ:I domain scores. Strontium, tungsten, and thallium were positively associated with several aspects of infants' development. Mothers with lower socioeconomic status (SES) had higher lead, cesium, and thallium exposures compared to mothers from high SES backgrounds. These mothers also had infants with lower scores across various developmental domains. The current study has many strengths including its focus on neurodevelopmental outcomes during infancy, an understudied developmental period, and the use of a novel analytical method to control for the effects of co-occurring metals while examining the effect of each metal on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Yet, future examination of how the effects of prenatal exposure on neurodevelopmental outcomes unfold over time while considering all potential interactions among metals and micronutrients is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S. Nozadi
- Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (D.M.); (E.E.); (C.W.R.); (E.O.); (J.L.)
| | - Li Li
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Li Luo
- Department of Internal Medicine, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Debra MacKenzie
- Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (D.M.); (E.E.); (C.W.R.); (E.O.); (J.L.)
| | - Esther Erdei
- Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (D.M.); (E.E.); (C.W.R.); (E.O.); (J.L.)
| | - Ruofei Du
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Carolyn W. Roman
- Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (D.M.); (E.E.); (C.W.R.); (E.O.); (J.L.)
| | - Joseph Hoover
- Social Science and Cultural Studies, Montana State University Billing, Billings, MT 59101, USA;
| | - Elena O’Donald
- Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (D.M.); (E.E.); (C.W.R.); (E.O.); (J.L.)
| | - Courtney Burnette
- Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Services, Omaha, NE 68106, USA;
| | - Johnnye Lewis
- Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (D.M.); (E.E.); (C.W.R.); (E.O.); (J.L.)
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Skogheim TS, Weyde KVF, Aase H, Engel SM, Surén P, Øie MG, Biele G, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Brantsæter AL, Haug LS, Sabaredzovic A, Auyeung B, Villanger GD. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111692. [PMID: 34293314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental deficits and disorders, but evidence is inconsistent. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether prenatal exposure to PFAS were associated with childhood diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS This study was based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study and included n = 821 ADHD cases, n = 400 ASD cases and n = 980 controls. Diagnostic cases were identified by linkage with the Norwegian Patient Registry. In addition, we used data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. The study included the following PFAS measured in maternal plasma sampled mid-pregnancy: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Relationships between individual PFAS and ADHD or ASD diagnoses were examined using multivariable adjusted logistic regression models. We also tested for possible non-linear exposure-outcome associations. Further, we investigated the PFAS mixture associations with ASD and ADHD diagnoses using a quantile-based g-computation approach. RESULTS Odds of ASD was significantly elevated in PFOA quartile 2 [OR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.45)] compared to quartile 1, and PFOA appeared to have a non-linear, inverted U-shaped dose-response relationship with ASD. PFOA was also associated with increased odds of ADHD, mainly in quartile 2 [OR = 1.54 (95% CI: 1.16, 2.04)] compared to quartile 1, and displayed a non-linear relationship in the restricted cubic spline model. Several PFAS (PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFOS) were inversely associated with odds of ADHD and/or ASD. Some of the associations were modified by child sex and maternal education. The overall PFAS mixture was inversely associated with ASD [OR = 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.90)] as well as the carboxylate mixture [OR = 0.79 (95% CI: 0.68, 0.93)] and the sulfonate mixture [OR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.96)]. CONCLUSION Prenatal exposure to PFOA was associated with increased risk of ASD and ADHD in children. For some PFAS, as well as their mixtures, there were inverse associations with ASD and/or ADHD. However, the inverse associations reported herein should not be interpreted as protective effects, but rather that there could be some unresolved confounding for these relationships. The epidemiologic literature linking PFAS exposures with neurodevelopmental outcomes is still inconclusive, suggesting the need for more research to elucidate the neurotoxicological potential of PFAS during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea S Skogheim
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kjell Vegard F Weyde
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Heidi Aase
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie M Engel
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Campus Box 7435, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7435, USA
| | - Pål Surén
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete G Øie
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1094, Blindern, N-0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guido Biele
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1171, Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line S Haug
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Azemira Sabaredzovic
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH, UK
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222, Skøyen, N-0213, Oslo, Norway
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Marshall AT, McConnell R, Lanphear BP, Thompson WK, Herting MM, Sowell ER. Risk of lead exposure, subcortical brain structure, and cognition in a large cohort of 9- to 10-year-old children. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258469. [PMID: 34648580 PMCID: PMC8516269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead, a toxic metal, affects cognitive development at the lowest measurable concentrations found in children, but little is known about its direct impact on brain development. Recently, we reported widespread decreases in cortical surface area and volume with increased risks of lead exposure, primarily in children of low-income families. METHODS AND FINDINGS We examined associations of neighborhood-level risk of lead exposure with cognitive test performance and subcortical brain volumes. We also examined whether subcortical structure mediated associations between lead risk and cognitive performance. Our analyses employed a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the observational Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. The multi-center ABCD Study used school-based enrollment to recruit a demographically diverse cohort of almost 11,900 9- and 10-year-old children from an initial 22 study sites. The analyzed sample included data from 8,524 typically developing child participants and their parents or caregivers. The primary outcomes and measures were subcortical brain structure, cognitive performance using the National Institutes of Health Toolbox, and geocoded risk of lead exposure. Children who lived in neighborhoods with greater risks of environmental lead exposure exhibited smaller volumes of the mid-anterior (partial correlation coefficient [rp] = -0.040), central (rp = -0.038), and mid-posterior corpus callosum (rp = -0.035). Smaller volumes of these three callosal regions were associated with poorer performance on cognitive tests measuring language and processing speed. The association of lead exposure risk with cognitive performance was partially mediated through callosal volume, particularly the mid-posterior corpus callosum. In contrast, neighborhood-level indicators of disadvantage were not associated with smaller volumes of these brain structures. CONCLUSIONS Environmental factors related to the risk of lead exposure may be associated with certain aspects of cognitive functioning via diminished subcortical brain structure, including the anterior splenium (i.e., mid-posterior corpus callosum).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T. Marshall
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Bruce P. Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wesley K. Thompson
- Department of Biostatistics, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth R. Sowell
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Muñoz-Quezada MT, Lucero B, Castillo B, Bradman A, Zúñiga L, Baumert BO, Iglesias V, Muñoz MP, Buralli RJ, Antini C. Psychometric Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Perception and Knowledge About Exposure to Pesticides in Rural Schoolchildren of Maule, Chile. Front Psychol 2021; 12:715477. [PMID: 34630226 PMCID: PMC8492929 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.715477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to pesticides during infancy is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. The assessment of knowledge and perception of pesticides exposure and risk among children has not been thoroughly studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a questionnaire that measures the knowledge and perception of exposure to organophosphate pesticides among rural schoolchildren. The questionnaire was administered to 151 schoolchildren between 9 and 13years from four Chilean rural schools. An internal consistency analysis of the ordinal alpha coefficient and a polychoric factor analysis for categorical data were used. The results show that the ordinal alpha was 0.95. Polychoric matrices of rotated components show the 17 questions summarized pesticide knowledge in five factors extracted after promax rotation. This factorial model explains 56.3% of the variance. The questions were grouped as follows: knowledge about pesticides (Factor 1); knowledge of health effects related to pesticides exposure (Factor 2); pesticide exposure through the growing of fruits and vegetables (Factor 3); perception and action against pesticides exposure at school (Factor 4); and perception and action against pesticides exposure at home (Factor 5). The questionnaire provides a useful tool for examining pesticide exposure in agricultural regions, allowing younger community members to participate.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada
- The Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Center (CINPSI Neurocog), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Boris Lucero
- The Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Center (CINPSI Neurocog), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Benjamín Castillo
- Doctorate in Applied Mathematical Modeling, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Asa Bradman
- Department of Public Health, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, United States
- Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Liliana Zúñiga
- The Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Center (CINPSI Neurocog), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Brittney O. Baumert
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Verónica Iglesias
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María Pía Muñoz
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rafael J. Buralli
- Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carmen Antini
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Santiago AM, Berg KA, Leroux J. Assessing the Impact of Neighborhood Conditions on Neurodevelopmental Disorders during Childhood. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179041. [PMID: 34501630 PMCID: PMC8430861 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nearly three out of ten neurodevelopmental disabilities in the United States have been linked to environmental conditions, prompting emerging lines of research examining the role of the neighborhood on children’s developmental outcomes. Utilizing data from a natural experiment in Denver, this study quantifies the impact of exposure to varied neighborhood contexts on the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders over the course of childhood. Our analysis is based upon retrospective child, caregiver, household and neighborhood data derived from the Denver Child Study for a sample of approximately 590 Latino and African American children and youth whose families were quasi-randomly assigned to subsidized housing operated by the Denver (CO) Housing Authority during part of their childhood. We employed binary response models with endogenous explanatory variables, estimated using instrumental variables (IV) probit and average marginal effects to identify predictors of a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis during childhood. We found that multiple dimensions of neighborhood context—especially neighborhood socioeconomic status, older housing stock, residential instability and prevalence of neurological hazards in the ambient air—strongly and robustly predicted the diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental disorder during childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Santiago
- School of Social Work, College of Social Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Kristen A. Berg
- Center for Health Care Research and Policy, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
| | - Joffré Leroux
- Department of Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
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Zheng S, Bishop SL, Ceja T, Hanna-Attisha M, LeWinn K. Neurodevelopmental profiles of preschool-age children in Flint, Michigan: a latent profile analysis. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:29. [PMID: 34412591 PMCID: PMC8377967 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09377-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children in Flint, Michigan, have experienced myriad sociodemographic adversities exacerbated by the Flint water crisis. To help inform child-focused prevention and intervention efforts, we aimed to describe patterns of neurodevelopmental outcomes among preschoolers who experienced the Flint water crisis before age 2 years. METHOD Participants were 170 preschoolers who completed a comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment battery, including directly administered measures of cognitive and executive functioning and maternal-report of adaptive skills and behavioral problems. We used latent profile analysis to derive subgroups. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine the predictors of profile memberships, including child sex and maternal/family-level factors selected from an array of measured exposures using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. RESULTS Three latent profiles were identified: Profile 1-relative weakness in all domains (50%); Profile 2-normative functioning in all domains (34.1%); and Profile 3-relative strengths in executive function and behavior (15.9%). Profile 1 showed lower scores across cognitive and behavioral domains. Profile 2 demonstrated abilities within the normal range across domains. Profile 3 showed relative strength in executive functioning with few behavior problems, despite lower cognitive performance. Children across all profiles showed adaptive behavior in the adequate range. Child sex and maternal IQ were significant predictors of profile membership. CONCLUSIONS Children in Flint demonstrated diverse patterns of development in the face of sociodemographic and environmental adversities. Comprehensive screening and neurodevelopmental profiling of children in this at-risk population are needed to identify areas of needs and inform appropriate service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Somer L Bishop
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Tiffany Ceja
- Division of Public Health, Pediatric Public Health Initiative, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, 48502, USA
| | - Mona Hanna-Attisha
- Division of Public Health, Pediatric Public Health Initiative, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, 48502, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Kaja LeWinn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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Carrizosa C, Murcia M, Ballesteros V, Costa O, Manzano-Salgado CB, Ibarluzea J, Iñiguez C, Casas M, Andiarena A, Llop S, Lertxundi A, Schettgen T, Sunyer J, Ballester F, Vrijheid M, Lopez-Espinosa MJ. Prenatal perfluoroalkyl substance exposure and neuropsychological development throughout childhood: The INMA Project. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:125185. [PMID: 33882389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been related to neurodevelopmental toxicity in animals. However, human studies are inconclusive. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and neuropsychological development during childhood. METHODS 1240 mother-child pairs from the Spanish INMA Project were analyzed. Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were measured in first-trimester maternal plasma. Neuropsychological development was assessed at 14 months, 4-5 and 7 years covering four domains: general cognitive, general motor, attention, and working memory. Associations were studied by means of multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA medians were: 0.6, 2.4, 6.1, and 0.7 ng/mL. Higher PFAS prenatal exposure was associated with worse motor development at 14 months, especially in the case of PFHxS (β[95%CI]: -1.49[-2.73, -0.24]) and to a lesser extent PFOS (-1.25[-2.62, 0.12]). There was also a marginal positive association between general cognitive development at 4-5 years and PFOS (1.17[-0.10, 2.43]) and PFNA (0.99[-0.13, 2.12]). No clear associations for other neuropsychological outcomes or any sex differences were found. DISCUSSION This study shows no clear-cut evidence of an association between prenatal PFAS exposure and adverse neuropsychological development in children up to the age of 7 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Carrizosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Health Information Systems Analysis Service, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia, Spain
| | - Virginia Ballesteros
- Andalusian Health and Environment Observatory (OSMAN), Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain
| | - Olga Costa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cyntia B Manzano-Salgado
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesus Ibarluzea
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Carmen Iñiguez
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Department of Statistics and Computational Research, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maribel Casas
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ainara Andiarena
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aitana Lertxundi
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Biodonostia, Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development Group, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Preventive Medicine and Public Health Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Martine Vrijheid
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
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Lucero B, Muñoz-Quezada MT. Neurobehavioral, Neuromotor, and Neurocognitive Effects in Agricultural Workers and Their Children Exposed to Pyrethroid Pesticides: A Review. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:648171. [PMID: 34335205 PMCID: PMC8322659 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.648171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, pyrethroids have emerged as a less toxic alternative to eliminate insect pests. However, some animal studies and studies with children show that these pesticides are toxic and lead to neurobehavioral effects similar to other pesticides, such as organophosphates. The purpose of this review was to systematize the epidemiological scientific evidence about the neurobehavioral, neuromotor, and neurocognitive effects in agricultural workers and their children exposed to pyrethroid pesticides. We conducted two searches (with different terms) in PubMed and Scopus databases, including articles in Spanish and English language on the effects of occupational exposure to pyrethroid pesticides associated with neurobehavioral, neuromotor, and neurocognitive functioning of agricultural workers and their children. There were no filters by year, and the search included studies till march 2021. To develop the search, we followed the recommendations contained in the PRISMA guidelines and the PICO strategy. The results show that in 66.6% of the studies reviewed (8 of 12 studies), agricultural workers or their children occupationally exposed to pyrethroid pesticides have a higher risk of presenting difficulties in their neurocognitive, neuromotor, or neurobehavioral performance, mainly associated with attention, processing speed (linked to hand-eye coordination), and motor coordination. There are still few studies that address this issue. However, the quality of most of the research conducted (83% intermediate or high quality) confirms the risk for neurobehavioral health in agricultural workers due to occupational exposure to pyrethroids. More research is required evaluating the exposure to pyrethroids, including biomarkers and validated neurobehavioral and neuromotor tests, in addition to evaluating the effect of simultaneous exposure to other hazardous pesticides. Assuming that the use of pyrethroids is increasing considerably and faster than the scientific evidence, it is suggested as a precautionary principle to regulate, more strictly, the sale of pyrethroids and other pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Teresa Muñoz-Quezada
- The Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Center (CINPSI Neurocog), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
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