Altered functional activations of prefrontal brain areas during emotional processing of fear in Inuit adolescents exposed to environmental contaminants

Lamoureux-Tremblay, Vickie; Chauret, Mélissa; Muckle, Gina; Maheu, Françoise S.; Suffren, Sabrina; Jacobson, Joseph L.; Ayotte, Pierre; Leporé, Franco; Saint-Amour, Dave

doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2021.106973

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 95 publications

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“… 18 , 31 , 71 – 73 These findings are supported by recent imaging studies of prefrontal brain areas of Inuit adolescents. 74 For the children and youth in the present study, there was a direct association between emotional state and behavioral problems and attempted suicide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 47%

The Contribution across Three Generations of Mercury Exposure to Attempted Suicide among Children and Youth in Grassy Narrows First Nation, Canada: An Intergenerational Analysis

Mergler

Philibert

Fillion

et al. 2023

Environ Health Perspect

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Background: For 60 y, the people of Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) have endured the effects of massive mercury (Hg) contamination of their river system, central to their traditions, culture, livelihood, and diet. In the years following the Hg discharge into the English–Wabigoon River system by a chloralkali plant in the early 1970s, there was a dramatic increase in youth suicides. Several authors attributed this increase solely to social disruption caused by the disaster. Objective: This research examined the possible contribution of Hg exposure across three generations on attempted suicides among today’s children (5–11 y old) and youth (12–17 y old), using a matrilineal intergenerational paradigm. Methods: Information from the 2016–2017 Grassy Narrows Community Health Assessment (GN-CHA) survey was merged with Hg biomonitoring data from government surveillance programs (1970–1997). Data from 162 children/youth (5–17 years of age), whose mothers ( ) had provided information on themselves, their parents, and children, were retained for analyses. Direct and indirect indicators of Hg exposure included a ) grandfather had worked as a fishing guide, and b ) mother’s measured and estimated umbilical cord blood and childhood hair Hg and her fish consumption during pregnancy with this child. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine significant links from grandparents (G0) to mothers’ exposure and mental health (G1) and children/youth (G2) risk for attempted suicide. Results: Mothers’ (G1) median age was 33 y, 86.3% of grandmothers (G0) had lived in Grassy Narrows territory during their pregnancy, and 52.5% of grandfathers (G0) had worked as fishing guides. Sixty percent of children (G2) were years of age. Mothers reported that among teenagers (G2: 12–17 years of age), 41.2% of girls and 10.7% of boys had ever attempted suicide. The SEM suggested two pathways that significantly linked grandparents (G0) to children’s (G2) attempted suicides: a ) through mothers’ (G1) prenatal and childhood Hg exposure and psychological distress, and b ) through maternal fish consumption during pregnancy (G1/G2), which is an important contributor to children’s emotional state and behavior. Discussion: Despite minimal individual information on G0 and G1 past life experiences, the findings support the hypothesis that Hg exposure over three generations contributes to the mental health of today’s children and youth. The prevalence of Grassy Narrows youth ever having attempted suicide is three times that of other First Nations in Canada. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11301

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 47%

The Contribution across Three Generations of Mercury Exposure to Attempted Suicide among Children and Youth in Grassy Narrows First Nation, Canada: An Intergenerational Analysis

Mergler

Philibert

Fillion

et al. 2023

Environ Health Perspect

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Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors in Early life and Neuroimaging Findings in Childhood and Adolescence: a Scoping Review

Cajachagua-Torres,

Quezada-Pinedo,

et al. 2024

Curr Envir Health Rpt

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Purpose of Review Evidence suggests neurotoxicity of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during sensitive periods of development. We present an overview of pediatric population neuroimaging studies that examined brain influences of EDC exposure during prenatal period and childhood. Recent Findings We found 46 studies that used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine brain influences of EDCs. These studies showed associations of prenatal exposure to phthalates, organophosphate pesticides (OPs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons and persistent organic pollutants with global and regional brain structural alterations. Few studies suggested alteration in functional MRI associated with prenatal OP exposure. However, studies on other groups of EDCs, such as bisphenols, and those that examined childhood exposure were less conclusive. Summary These findings underscore the potential profound and lasting effects of prenatal EDC exposure on brain development, emphasizing the need for better regulation and strategies to reduce exposure and mitigate impacts. More studies are needed to examine the influence of postnatal exposure to EDC on brain imaging.

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Ryanodine receptor-dependent mechanisms of PCB developmental neurotoxicity

Lein

2023

Advances in Neurotoxicology

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Altered functional activations of prefrontal brain areas during emotional processing of fear in Inuit adolescents exposed to environmental contaminants

Cited by 6 publications

References 95 publications

The Contribution across Three Generations of Mercury Exposure to Attempted Suicide among Children and Youth in Grassy Narrows First Nation, Canada: An Intergenerational Analysis

The Contribution across Three Generations of Mercury Exposure to Attempted Suicide among Children and Youth in Grassy Narrows First Nation, Canada: An Intergenerational Analysis

Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors in Early life and Neuroimaging Findings in Childhood and Adolescence: a Scoping Review

Ryanodine receptor-dependent mechanisms of PCB developmental neurotoxicity

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