Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Bone lead levels and delinquent behavior

H L Needleman1, J A Riess, M J Tobin

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh (Pa) School of Medicine, USA.

JAMA
|February 7, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

SR-FTIR Coupled with Principal Component Analysis Shows Evidence for the Cellular Bystander Effect.

Radiation research·2015
Same author

Environmental, demographic, and medical factors related to cord blood lead levels.

Biological trace element research·2013
Same author

A followup study of the academic attainment and classroom behavior of children with elevated dentine lead levels.

Biological trace element research·2013
Same author

Preventive intervention for living donor psychosocial outcomes: feasibility and efficacy in a randomized controlled trial.

American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons·2013
Same author

Hypercapnia: keeping therapy and diagnosis distinct.

Anaesthesia and intensive care·2013
Same author

Lead research.

Environmental science & technology·2012
Same journal

WHO Issues Guidelines for Treating Ebola and Marburg Viruses.

JAMA·2026
Same journal

FDA Approves Additional Naloxone Nasal Spray for Opioid Overdose.

JAMA·2026
Same journal

HIV May Hide in More Cells Than Previously Thought-Here's What That Could Mean for a Cure.

JAMA·2026
Same journal

US Dietary Supplement Use Increasing, Especially in Older Adults.

JAMA·2026
Same journal

Heat Stress From Climate Change Surges Globally.

JAMA·2026
Same journal

Strength Training Linked With Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women.

JAMA·2026
See all related articles

Childhood lead exposure is linked to increased antisocial and delinquent behaviors. This developmental effect was observed in boys from age 7 to 11, with higher bone lead levels correlating with behavioral issues.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Lead exposure in childhood is a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding the long-term effects of lead on behavior is crucial for intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between body lead burden and social adjustment in children.
  • To determine if early-life lead exposure predicts later antisocial and delinquent behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study involving 301 boys from a public school community.
  • Bone lead levels were measured using K x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy at age 12.
  • Social adjustment and behavior were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and self-reports at ages 7 and 11.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Borderline associations between lead levels and aggression/delinquency were noted at age 7.
  • At age 11, significant associations were found between bone lead levels and various behavioral issues reported by parents and teachers, including externalizing and internalizing behaviors.
  • Higher bone lead levels were associated with increased risk for attention problems, aggression, and delinquency.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood lead exposure is associated with an increased risk of developing antisocial and delinquent behaviors.
  • The impact of lead exposure on behavior exhibits a developmental trajectory, becoming more pronounced with age.