Lead exposure, peripheral neurotransmitter levels and cognitive control: A neurobehavioral study in children from Montevideo, Uruguay

IF 3.4 3区医学 Q2 NEUROSCIENCES

Neurotoxicology Pub Date : 2025-04-05 DOI:10.1016/j.neuro.2025.03.009

Gabriel Barg , Juan Andrés Menéndez , Juan Andrés Friedl , Sandra Hoyos , Elena I. Queirolo , Nelly Mañay , Diala Ghazal , Katarzyna Kordas

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Lead exposure has been linked to significant brain disruptions. However, research on the neural correlates of blood lead level (BLL) and cognitive control remains limited. To address this gap, we investigated event-related potentials (ERPs) during an inhibition task, in conjunction with measurements of serum neurotransmitter availability.

Method

38 children (58 % girls) aged 9–13 years were evaluated using a go/no-go task. Total hits, commission and omission errors were registered. During the task, ERPs were recorded using a 59-channel array. BLL was measured using atomic absorption via flame or graphite furnace ionization techniques. In an exploratory approach, serum level of neurochemical factors such as BDNF, dopamine, serotonin, and GABA in serum were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

Median BLL was 1.00 µg/dL (IQR = 0.7, 1.7). In generalized linear regression models with Poisson distribution, BLL was associated with a 23 % higher commission errors (IRR [95 % CI] = 1.23 [1.14, 1.34]) and 16 % (1.16 [1.08, 1.22]) total omission errors after adjustment for age, sex, maternal education and hemoglobin level. Two ERPs linked to conflict monitoring (N2) and response inhibition (P3) showed positive, although non-significant, modulation by BLL. Regarding the neurotransmitters, dopamine was correlated with BLL particularly when measured concurrently (Spearman's rho = 0.51, p < 0.005)

Conclusions

BLL are associated with deficits in the inhibition of prepotent responses during pre-adolescence. Such failures can hinder academic and social development and increase risky behaviors. This study is the first to examine peripheral neurotransmitter levels and brain activity associated with cognitive control in Pb-exposed children.

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铅暴露，周围神经递质水平和认知控制：乌拉圭蒙得维的亚儿童的神经行为研究。

导言：铅暴露与严重的脑损伤有关。然而，关于血铅水平（BLL）和认知控制的神经相关研究仍然有限。为了解决这一差距，我们研究了抑制任务期间的事件相关电位（ERPs），并结合血清神经递质可用性的测量。方法：使用go/no-go任务对38名9-13岁儿童（58%为女孩）进行评估。总命中、委托和遗漏错误被记录。在任务期间，使用59通道阵列记录erp。BLL是通过火焰或石墨炉电离技术使用原子吸收来测量的。在一种探索性方法中，使用酶联免疫吸附法评估血清中神经化学因子（如BDNF、多巴胺、血清素和GABA）的血清水平。结果：中位BLL为1.00µg/dL （IQR = 0.7, 1.7）。在泊松分布的广义线性回归模型中，调整年龄、性别、母亲教育程度和血红蛋白水平后，BLL与总遗漏误差增加23% （IRR [95% CI] = 1.23[1.14, 1.34]）和16%（1.16[1.08,1.22]）相关。与冲突监测（N2）和反应抑制（P3）相关的两个erp被BLL调节呈阳性，尽管不显著。关于神经递质，多巴胺与BLL相关，特别是在同时测量时（Spearman’s rho = 0.51, p < 0.005）。结论：BLL与青春期前性早熟反应的抑制缺陷有关。这种失败会阻碍学业和社会发展，并增加危险行为。这项研究首次检测了铅暴露儿童的周围神经递质水平和与认知控制相关的大脑活动。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Neurotoxicology 医学-毒理学

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

5.90%

发文量

161

审稿时长

70 days

期刊介绍： NeuroToxicology specializes in publishing the best peer-reviewed original research papers dealing with the effects of toxic substances on the nervous system of humans and experimental animals of all ages. The Journal emphasizes papers dealing with the neurotoxic effects of environmentally significant chemical hazards, manufactured drugs and naturally occurring compounds.