Parent Title:
Superfund Metal Mixtures, Biomarkers and Neurodevelopment
Grant Number:
Principal Investigator:
Wright, Robert O (Contact); Bellinger, David
Institution:
Harvard University
Most Recent Award Year:
2010
Lifestage of Participants:
Exposure:
Prenatal; Infant (0-1 year); Adulthood (mother)
Assessment:
Infant (0-1 year); Youth (1-18 years)
Exposures:
Metals:
Arsenic; Cadmium; Lead; Manganese
Mixtures:
Health Outcomes:
Neurological/Cognitive Outcomes:
Neurodevelopmental outcomes
Biological Sample:
Blood; Cord blood; Fingernails/toenails; Hair
Environmental Sample:
Drinking water sample
Other Participant Data:
BSID-II neurobehavioral test
Genes or Other DNA Products Studied:
GWAS on cord blood
Abstract:
While lead poisoning has been extensively studied, exposure levels remain elevated in many vulnerable populations. Other toxic metals such as arsenic and manganese are also elevated in the environment, but their effects on neurodevelopment are poorly understood. Perhaps more importantly, the effects of mixed metal exposures are poorly understood, yet this exposure scenario is most reflective of the real world. In this project we will pool the data and resources from 3 cohort studies of metals and neurodevelopment. One in a developing country-Bangladesh, where metal exposures are unusually high, one in Mexico, a middle income country where metal exposures are moderately high, and one in a developed Country-Tar Creek, OK, where exposures are representative of a community near a US toxic waste site. These cohorts allow us to overcome barriers that prevented research in both metal mixtures and the role of developmental windows in neurotoxicology. Our program will have a final sample size of 2600 children with prospective data on metal exposure, and repeated neurophenotype measures. This will give us sufficient power to model the effects of joint exposures to As/Pb, As/Mn and Mn/Pb and their 3 way interactions on neurodevelopment. In addition, as we have longitudinal exposure data, we can compare the effects of metal exposure during different developmental windows (i.e. pre vs post-natal exposure) on neurodevelopment. This project is also integrated with the nonbiomedical projects. For example, we will partner with projects 4 and 6 to test the effect of deep wells on As/Mn biomarker levels in Bangladesh. We will also partner with Projects 5 and 6 to validate statistical methods for site characterization and the incorporation of bioavailability/metal speciation data into geospatial models of exposure assessment at the Tar Creek Superfund site.
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Related NIEHS-Funded Study Populations
Children with In Utero Arsenic Exposure: Bangladesh
Principal Investigator:
Christiani, David
| Study Population Page Study Population c34
Institution:
Harvard University
Location:
Bangladesh
Number of Participants::
1,613 Pregnant women and 1,189 Mother-infant pairs
Brief Description::
This is a prospective birth cohort study in Bangladesh examining the impact of chronic arsenic exposure on birth, neurodevelopmental, and respiratory outcomes. A total of 1,613 pregnant mothers were recruited from Sirajdikhan and Pabna Sadar Upazilas Districts of Bangladesh from 2008-2011. Women were eligible to participate if they were 18 years or older with an ultrasound confirmed singleton pregnancy of ≤16 weeks gestation, used a tube well as their primary source of drinking water and had been using the same drinking water source for at least six months, and intended to live in her current residence throughout pregnancy. At the end of follow-up, 1,189 livebirths, 259 preterm births, 72 stillbirths, and 132 miscarriages were recorded. The neurodevelopment study involves continued follow-up of 812 children.