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Early lead exposure effects on an auditory threshold task in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)
Nellie K Laughlin1, Melissa L Luck, Robert E Lasky
1Harlow Center for Biological Psychology, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53715, USA.
Developmental Psychobiology
|January 16, 2009
Summary
Early lead exposure in rhesus monkeys elevated hearing thresholds and reduced behavioral engagement. These findings in lead-exposed monkeys mirror effects observed in children, suggesting potential long-term auditory impacts.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Auditory Science
Background:
- Lead exposure during early development is a significant public health concern with known neurodevelopmental effects.
- Auditory system development and function can be sensitive to environmental toxins like lead.
- Previous research suggests potential links between lead exposure and hearing deficits in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of early developmental lead exposure on behavioral auditory thresholds in adult rhesus monkeys.
- To compare the observed effects in monkeys to those reported in human children exposed to lead.
- To assess behavioral engagement and testability in lead-exposed monkeys during auditory testing.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral pure-tone audiometry was used to determine auditory thresholds in adult rhesus monkeys.
- Two groups were studied: those exposed to lead during early development and unexposed controls.
- Tester ratings and behavioral observations were recorded during the threshold determination task.
Main Results:
- Lead-exposed monkeys exhibited elevated hearing thresholds across all tested frequencies (125-8,000 Hz) compared to controls.
- Behavioral data indicated reduced engagement and increased difficulty in testing lead-exposed monkeys.
- While not always statistically significant due to sample size and task difficulty, the magnitude and direction of threshold shifts were comparable to those in lead-exposed children.
Conclusions:
- Early developmental lead exposure can lead to persistent auditory threshold elevations in rhesus monkeys.
- Reduced behavioral engagement and testability in lead-exposed monkeys are consistent with findings in human children.
- These findings support the hypothesis that lead exposure adversely affects auditory function and behavior, highlighting the need for continued prevention efforts.
