Research Briefs: University of Washington

Superfund Research Program

Effects-Related Biomarkers of Environmental Neurotoxic Exposures

Center Director: Evan P. Gallagher
Grant Number: P42ES004696
Funding Period: 1987-2022

Program Links

Research Briefs

• 301 - Cadmium Exposure Impairs Production of Neurons Responsible for Learning and Memory -- Xia
  Release Date: 01/08/2020

  A new study funded by the Superfund Research Program (SRP) shows cadmium exposure can impair new neurons from forming and maturing in the hippocampus region of the brain. Led by Zhengui Xia, Ph.D., the researchers at the University of Washington (UW) SRP Center also found that cadmium can lead to the death of stem cells that produce these neurons. In people, learning and memory formation depends on the production of new neurons in this region of the brain.

• 285 - Why Shallow Lake Food Webs May Have More Arsenic -- Neumann
  Release Date: 09/05/2018

  Lake properties impact the amount of arsenic that transfers from sediments into the aquatic food web, according to a new SRP study. Researchers discovered high concentrations of arsenic in the water and plankton of well-mixed shallow lakes.

• 269 - Platform Allows Rapid Analysis of Antioxidant Genes in Zebrafish -- Gallagher
  Release Date: 05/03/2017

  A newly developed panel of zebrafish genes can be combined with a rapid testing platform to identify chemicals that induce oxidative stress, according to researchers at the University of Washington (UW) Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center. The method, optimized for use on larval zebrafish by UW SRP Center researchers, is cost-effective and can be performed more quickly and with less tissue than conventional methods.

• 224 - Effects of Cadmium and Copper on the Fish Olfactory System -- Gallagher
  Release Date: 08/07/2013

  A series of studies from a research group led by University of Washington (UW) grantee Evan Gallagher, Ph.D., provide insight into the mechanisms underlying injury to the olfactory system of fish exposed to cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) including concentrations seen in the environment.

• 223 - Nicotine in Peppers and Other Vegetables May Reduce Parkinson Disease Risk -- Checkoway, Searles Nielsen
  Release Date: 07/03/2013

  Eating nicotine-containing vegetables, mainly peppers, may provide a protective effect against Parkinson disease (PD). Based on studies consistently suggesting that smokers are less likely than non-smokers to develop PD, Susan Searles Nielsen, Ph.D., led a study to explore other sources of nicotine that might have effects similar to active smoking, such as vegetables from the same plant family as tobacco.

• 190 - Determining Susceptibility to Environmentally-induced Neurotoxicity -- Furlong
  Release Date: 10/05/2010

  Researchers use an innovative approach to track the health effects of organophosphate insecticides. The findings may also have implications for research on Parkinson's disease and studies on the health effects of nerve agents and aircraft engine fumes.

• 156 - Enhanced Phytoremediation of Volatile Environmental Pollutants -- Strand, Doty
  Release Date: 12/05/2007
  
  
• 124 - DNA Damage Index: A New Tool for Assessing Toxic Effects of Contaminants -- Malins, Stegeman
  Release Date: 04/06/2005
  
  
• 105 - PON1 as a Biomarker of Susceptibility to Environmentally-Induced Diseases -- Costa
  Release Date: 09/03/2003
  
  
• 99 - The Role of Gene/Environment Interactions in the Etiology of Parkinson's Disease -- Checkoway
  Release Date: 03/05/2003
  
  
• 87 - Application of Wildlife Biomarker Technologies in Remediation Decision-Making -- Hooper
  Release Date: 03/06/2002
  
  
• 19 - The Use of Wildlife Biomonitoring at Hazardous Waste Sites -- Hooper
  Release Date: 04/29/1998
  
  
• 16 - The Use of Poplar Trees to Remediate Chlorinated Organic Contaminants -- Strand
  Release Date: 03/18/1998