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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Exploring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) in children exposed to
Grace M Christensen1, Metrecia L Terrell1, Brad D Pearce1
1Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
Insights
This study found no association between polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism. Research on endocrine disruptors and neurodevelopmental disorders continues.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Toxicology
Background:
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, like polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), are suspected to impact neurological development.
- The causes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism remain largely unknown.
- Investigating environmental exposures during critical developmental periods is crucial for understanding neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between prenatal and early life exposure to polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and the subsequent development of ADHD and autism.
- To contribute to the limited research on PBB exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders.
- To explore potential links between environmental toxins and conditions like ADHD and autism.
Main Methods:
- A nested case-control study utilized data from the Michigan PBB Registry, established after a 1973 contamination event.
- Participants included individuals with self-reported ADHD/autism and mothers reporting their child's diagnosis.
- Conditional logistic regression models assessed the relationship between PBB levels and case status, controlling for sex and birth year.
Main Results:
- Early life PBB exposure levels were significantly higher than in utero exposure levels (0.300 ng/ml vs. 0.016 ng/ml).
- A higher proportion of women in the cohort self-reported ADHD diagnoses compared to population estimates.
- No significant association was found between PBB levels and ADHD or autism in self-reported or mother-reported analyses.
Conclusions:
- This study provides data on the relationship between PBB-153 exposure and ADHD/autism, adding to sparse existing literature.
- The findings suggest no direct link between PBB exposure and these neurodevelopmental conditions in this cohort.
- Future research should consider potential sex-based differences in the effects of PBB exposure on neurodevelopment.
Background:
Although the causes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism have not been identified, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), during fetal development and early life has been suspected to impact neurological development. This study aims to investigate the association between prenatal and early life exposure to PBB and the development of ADHD and autism later in life.
Methods:
Data from the Michigan PBB Registry, a cohort of Michigan residents who had been exposed to PBB in a mass contamination event in 1973, was leveraged for this nested case-control analysis among two distinct samples: (1) Those who self-reported ADHD or autism diagnosis, and (2) mothers who reported their child's ADHD or autism diagnosis. PBB exposure was measured in participants of the PBB Registry, and the mother's PBB level was used in mother-reported analyses. Cases were matched with controls by sex and year of birth. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between PBB level and case status.
Results:
PBB levels were higher among those who were exposed in early life compared with those exposed in utero (geometric mean: 0.300 ng/ml vs. 0.016 ng/ml). Among women in this cohort, a higher than expected proportion of self-reported ADHD diagnosis (11.11%), compared with population estimates. PBB was not associated with ADHD or autism in either self-reported or mother-reported analyses.
Conclusions:
This study adds to the sparse literature about prenatal and early life exposure to PBB-153 and ADHD and autism. Future studies should examine potential effect modification by sex.
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