PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO METHYLMERCURY AND CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR

描述（由研究者提供）：低水平甲基汞（MeHg）暴露对神经发育的影响尚不确定。在法罗群岛和塞舌尔群岛进行的关于产前甲基汞暴露的两项开创性研究报告了关于认知和行为结果的不一致结论。本研究的主要目的是：1)利用新生儿行为评估量表（NBAS）研究产前甲基汞与婴儿注意相关行为的关系；2)采用Conners'评定教师量表（CRS-T）、神经行为评价系统2 （NES2）连续表现测试（CPT）和韦氏儿童智力量表第三版（WISC-III）的组成部分，研究MeHg与学龄儿童（中位=8岁）注意缺陷多动障碍（ADHD）相关行为的关系。我们还将研究甲基汞和多氯联苯（pcb）对行为的潜在协同效应，并评估甲基汞和行为关联的性别差异。最后，我们将评估鱼类消费对甲基汞和行为之间关系的潜在混淆效应。这项研究将在1993年至1998年间出生的788名婴儿中进行，这些婴儿的母亲居住在马萨诸塞州新贝德福德受多氯联苯污染的港口和超级基金附近。在产后约10天收集的母亲头发中测量甲基汞。与行为结果的关联将用多变量回归来估计，控制大范围的协变量。本研究的结果将建立在甲基汞对神经发育影响的文献基础上。这对于就产前接触甲基汞的潜在危害向公众通报达成共识至关重要，因为接触甲基汞的主要来源是食用鱼类，这对健康有重大益处，包括对神经发育的益处。产前甲基汞（MeHg）与神经发育之间的关系尚不清楚。鉴于食用鱼类对发育中的大脑有明显的好处，这项研究将对告知公众产前接触甲基汞的潜在危害的文献做出重要贡献。

DESCRIPTION (provided by investigator): There is uncertainty about the effect of low-level methylmercury (MeHg) exposure on neurodevelopment. Two seminal studies conducted in the Faroe Islands and the Seychelles Islands of prenatal MeHg exposure report inconsistent conclusions with respect to cognitive and behavioral outcomes. The primary aims of the proposed research are to investigate: 1) the association between prenatal MeHg and attention-associated behaviors among infants using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS); and 2) the association between MeHg and behaviors associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among school-aged children (median=8 years) using the Conners' Rating Scale for Teachers (CRS-T), the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System 2 (NES2) Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and components of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III). We will also investigate a potential synergistic effect of MeHg and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on behavior and evaluate gender differences for the MeHg and behavior associations. Finally, we will assess the potential confounding effect of fish consumption on the association between MeHg and behavior. The study will be conducted among a birth cohort of 788 infants born between 1993 and 1998 to mothers residing adjacent to a PCB-contaminated harbor and Superfund site in New Bedford, Massachusetts. MeHg was measured in maternal hair collected at approximately 10 days postpartum. Associations with behavioral outcomes will be estimated with multivariable regression, controlling for a wide range of covariates. Results of this study will build upon the literature on the neurodevelopmental effects of MeHg. This is critical to arriving at consensus in informing the public about the potential hazard of prenatal MeHg exposure, given that the primary source of exposure is fish consumption, which is associated with substantial health benefits, including benefits to neurodevelopment. PROJECT HEALTH RELEVANCE The association between prenatal methylmercury (MeHg) and neurodevelopment is not well understood. This study will be an important contribution to the literature necessary for informing the public about the potential hazard associated with prenatal MeHg exposure, given the apparent benefit of fish consumption on the developing brain.