Grant Number:
Principal Investigator:
Bauer, Julia Anglen
Institution:
Boston University Medical Campus
Most Recent Award Year:
2018
Lifestage of Participants:
Exposure:
Prenatal; Youth (1-18 years)
Assessment:
Youth (1-18 years, specifically 10-14 years of age)
Exposures:
Metals:
Chromium; Copper; Iron; Lead; Manganese
Mixtures:
Health Outcomes:
Neurological/Cognitive Outcomes:
Neurobehavioral outcomes; Neurodevelopmental outcomes
Biological Sample:
Blood; Hair; Teeth
Other Participant Data:
Visuospatial ability (block design, picture completion), executive function/working memory (digits backward), attention (digits forward), global cognitive ability (full-scale IQ) using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC); Complex visuospatial learning and memory using Virtual Radial Arm Maze test
Abstract:
Evidence for environmental manganese (Mn) as a neurodevelopmental toxicant is mounting; yet knowledge about Mn susceptibility remains limited and findings are inconsistent across studies. Our study aims to help clarify childhood environmental Mn neurotoxicity by understanding which domains are most sensitive to Mn exposure across childhood, and by identifying subgroups who are more susceptible to Mn-toxicity by investigating exposure timing, sex differences and interactive and joint effects of multiple metals. The proposed epidemiologic study will use previously measured data from the Public Health Impact of Mixed element Exposure (PHIME) study, comprised of 720 children (ages 10-14 years) with varied airborne exposure to ferro- manganese industry in Italy. Under the mentorship of a multidisciplinary team of experts in environmental epidemiology, neurobehavioral toxicology, exposure biology and mixtures, Julia Bauer (PI) proposes the following aims: 1) identify patterns of Mn-associated neurobehavioral decrements by estimating associations of Mn exposures in early life (measured in deciduous teeth) and adolescence (measured in hair and blood) and multiple Mn-sensitive domain-specific and global neurobehavioral tasks; 2) describe susceptibility factors of Mn neurotoxicity by estimating a) sex-specific associations of Mn in early life and adolescence, with performance on complex visuospatial abilities (measured by the Virtual Radial Arm Maze) as well as on full-scale IQ measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; and b) interactive and joint effects of multiple metals (Mn, Pb, Fe, Cu, Cr) on full-scale IQ. This research will inform the current understanding of Mn effects on children's neurobehavior. It also targets several NIEHS strategic goals: use of technologically advanced exposure data, understanding individual susceptibility across childhood, and accounting for mixture scenarios.
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Related NIEHS-Funded Study Populations
Public Health Impact of Mixed Element Exposure in Susceptible Populations (PHIME)
Principal Investigator:
Lucchini, Roberto G
| Study Population Page Study Population c277
Institution:
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Location:
Bagnolo Mella, Valcamonica, and Garda Lake, in the province of Brescia, Italy
Number of Participants::
720
Brief Description::
This is a longitudinal cohort study to investigate the neurological effects of long-term exposure to metals, especially manganese (Mn), on children living in three communities in Northern Italy that differ in the timing and intensity of environmental Mn exposure from current or historic ferromanganese alloy plant operations. Neurodevelopment and behavior were assessed in children at 11-13 years of age and again at 17-20 years of age.