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Impact of Cognitive Intervention on Neurocognitive Development of Schoolchildren Exposed to Lead in a Semi-Urban
Marlene Cortez-Lugo1, Lizeth Ximena Huanca-Laura, David Hernández-Bonilla
1Author Affiliations: National Institute of Public Health, Environmental Health Department, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico (Dr Cortez-Lugo); Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivian Institute of High-Altitude Biology, La Paz, Bolivia (Ms Huanca-Laura); Environmental Health Department, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico (Dr Hernández-Bonilla and Ms Alamo-Hernández); Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Reynosa-Aztlán, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico (Dr Montes); National Institute of Public Health, Center for Research in Evaluation and Surveys, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico (Ms García-Feregrino); National Institute of Public Health, Environmental Health Department, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico (Ms Velázquez); and National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Neurochemistry Department, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, Mexico (Dr Tristán-López).
Abstract:
Lead exposure is a severe public health issue that can adversely affect children's neurocognitive development. A semi-urban community in Mexico has been exposed to lead from food cooked in glazed clay pots. A cognitive intervention was conducted from 2015 to 2016 to minimize this negative impact. This intervention aimed to improve the neurocognitive development of the affected children.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental study with a control group was conducted in children aged 7 to 12 years from 2 communities in Morelos, Mexico. Blood lead levels were determined, and the neurocognitive function was assessed pre- and postintervention with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and Children's Auditory Verbal Learning Test-2. A cognitive intervention was conducted at the school. The difference-in-differences method adjusted for variables known as priori and evaluated the impact of cognitive intervention.
Results:
The differences-in-differences models indicated a significant average increase in scores on the Verbal Comprehension Index (9.58 points), Processing Speed Index (5.33 points), intelligence quotient (5.63 points) level of learning (7.66 points), interference trial (10.12 points), immediate memory span (7.98 points), and recognition accuracy (1.18 points) subtests after the cognitive intervention.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that cognitive intervention improves neurocognitive development in schoolchildren exposed to Pb.
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