Is Low-Level Arsenic Exposure Related to Neurobehavioral Deficits in Children

  • Kordas, Katarzyna (PI)

Project: Research project

Project Details

Description

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Millions of children worldwide are exposed to neurotoxic substances in their environment, such as arsenic, that produce potentially irreversible intellectual and behavioral impairments. Cognitive deficits, most typically measured as IQ in school children living in high-exposure areas, have been associated with higher concentrations of arsenic in drinking water, urine and hair. However, we have limited understanding of the extent to which low- level arsenic exposure is associated with children's cognitive function and behavior. This gap in knowledge limits accurate risk assessment and the communication of health risks associated with arsenic exposure. The long-term goal is to understand how low-level arsenic exposure affects neurobehavioral outcomes across childhood and adolescence, and to identify host and environmental factors (such as age, sex, genetic make- up, nutritional status, and other environmental exposures) that may modify the effects of arsenic on child cognition and behavior. The objective of the proposed study is to determine the effects of low-level arsenic exposure and arsenic methylation capacity on cognitive function and behavior in 6-7 year-old children. The central hypothesis is that within low-range of exposures, higher arsenic concentrations in water and urine (particularly higher fraction of urinary methylarsonic acid) will be associated with poorer cognition and behavior problems. The two specific aims are 1) Determine to what extent low-level arsenic exposure (
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date2/1/121/31/13

Funding

  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: $195,925.00
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: $161,933.00

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