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Fluoride exposure, dopamine relative gene polymorphism and intelligence: A cross-sectional study in China
Liang Zhao1, Canqing Yu2, Jun Lv3
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, PR China; Institute of Environment and Health, Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin 300011, PR China.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|December 28, 2020
Summary
Low to moderate fluoride exposure may impact children's intelligence, with dopamine-related genes potentially modifying this effect. Gene-environment interactions were observed, suggesting a complex relationship influencing cognitive development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Excessive fluoride exposure is linked to adverse health effects.
- The role of dopamine (DA) related genes in low-moderate fluoride exposure's impact on children's intelligence is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dopamine-related genes in the association between low-moderate fluoride exposure and children's intelligence.
- To explore gene-environment interactions in this context.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 567 children (6-11 years) from endemic and non-endemic fluorosis areas in Tianjin, China.
- Assessed urinary fluoride concentration, intelligence quotient (IQ) using Raven's test, and analyzed genetic variations in ANKK1, COMT, DAT1, and MAOA genes.
- Employed multivariable linear regression, gene-environment interaction models, and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR).
Main Results:
- Fluoride exposure was inversely associated with IQ scores (β = -5.957).
- Children with high-activity MAOA genotypes showed significantly lower IQ scores.
- Effect modification and high-dimensional gene-environment interactions were detected between fluoride exposure and DA-related genes (ANKK1, COMT, MAOA) on IQ.
Conclusions:
- Dopamine-related genes may modify the association between fluoride exposure and children's intelligence.
- A significant gene-environment interaction exists between fluoride exposure and dopamine-related genes concerning IQ.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in cognitive development.
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