Development and validation of a test battery to assess subtle neurodevelopmental differences in children

Davidson, Philip W.; Weiss, Bernard; Beck, Christopher A.; Cory‐Slechta, Deborah A.; Orlando, Mark; Loiselle, David L.; Young, Edna Carter; Sloane-Reeves, Jean; Myers, Gary J.

doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2006.03.025

Cited by 15 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The two groups appear comparable. By and large, scores are similar to a US reference sample (Davidson et al, 2006). The frequency distributions for the behavioral endpoints are shown in Table 1b.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 51%

“…That study also found an adverse association with prenatal MeHg when nutrients were included in the model. Other studies have reported associations between total fish consumption and developmental outcomes, but they did not specifically measure LCPUFA (Davidson et al, 2006, Decsi and Koletzko 2005, Dunstan et al, 2008, Schober et al, 2003). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the tests we used have both clinical and environmental validity and include ones that are behavioral domain specific (Davidson et al, 2006). One limitation of this cohort study is the absence of maternal nutritional information which would permit a direct assessment of prenatal nutrition influence on subjects’ development.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The battery was comprised of eight tests each of which has several endpoints: Intra-Extra Dimensional Shift Set (IED), Paired Associates Learning (PAL), Delayed Match to Sample (DMS), Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM), Spatial Recognition Memory (SRM), Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Reaction Time (RT) and Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVP). The CANTAB tests are sensitive and specific for detecting outcomes typically associated with neurotoxicant exposure (Davidson et al, 2006). School records were reviewed for information about a student’s referrals to a school counselor for a problematic behavior and any further actions resulting from referrals.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fish consumption and prenatal methylmercury exposure: Cognitive and behavioral outcomes in the main cohort at 17 years from the Seychelles child development study

et al. 2011

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Introduction People worldwide depend upon daily fish consumption as a major source of protein and other nutrients. Fish are high in nutrients essential for normal brain development, but they also contain methylmercury (MeHg), a neurotoxicant. Our studies in a population consuming fish daily have indicated no consistent pattern of adverse associations between prenatal MeHg and children’s development. For some endpoints we found performance improved with increasing prenatal exposure to MeHg. Follow up studies indicate this association is related to the beneficial nutrients present in fish. Objectives To determine if the absence of adverse outcomes and the presence of beneficial associations between prenatal MeHg and developmental outcomes previously reported persists into adolescence. Methods This study was conducted on the Main Cohort of the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS). We examined the association between prenatal MeHg exposure and subjects’ performance at 17 years of age on 27 endpoints. The test battery included the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), the Woodcock-Johnson (W-J-II) Achievement Test, subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), and measures of problematic behaviors. Analyses for all endpoints were adjusted for postnatal MeHg, sex, socioeconomic status, maternal IQ, and child’s age at testing and the child’s IQ was added for problematic behavioral endpoints. Results Mean prenatal MeHg exposure was 6.9 ppm. There was no association between prenatal MeHg and 21 endpoints. Increasing prenatal MeHg was associated with better scores on four endpoints (higher W-J-II math calculation scores, reduced numbers of trials on the Intra-Extradimensional Shift Set of the CANTAB, fewer reports of substance use and incidents of and referrals for problematic behaviors in school. Increasing prenatal MeHg was adversely associated with one level of referrals to a school counselor. Conclusions At age 17 years there was no consistent pattern of adverse associations present between prenatal MeHg exposure and detailed domain specific neurocognitive and behavioral testing. There continues to be evidence of improved performance on some endpoints as prenatal MeHg exposure increases in the range studied, a finding that appears to reflect the role of beneficial nutrients present in fish as demonstrated previously in younger subjects. These findings suggest that ocean fish consumption during pregnancy is important for the health and development of children and that the benefits are long lasting.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 51%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fish consumption and prenatal methylmercury exposure: Cognitive and behavioral outcomes in the main cohort at 17 years from the Seychelles child development study

et al. 2011

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“…Several groups have used the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) computer tests to study specific groups of children thought to have an impaired development. Deficits in these tests appear for children identified as ‘hard to manage’ [17], born prematurely [18] or exposed to neurotoxins during development [19]. Nutrition itself is also a critical factor in normal cognitive development among children [20] so having a method to monitor learning skills in combination with BMI measures is very relevant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Equilibrium Initiative: a public health intervention to narrow the health gap and promote a healthy weight in Swedish children

et al. 2014

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BackgroundInequity in health is a global concern. Even in Sweden there are considerable health gaps between different social groups, not least concerning life-style related conditions. Interventions drawing on Community-based participatory research (CBPR) have potential to build prerequisites for complex, supportive structures that constitute basis for implementation of sustainable health promoting programs. CBPR rests on principles of empowerment. The researchers are responsible for the scientific quality and that ethical standards are met. Health Equilibrium Initiative (HEI) aims at narrowing the health gap and promoting healthy weight in children; “healthy weight” including both anthropometric criteria and aspects having to do with self-esteem and self-efficacy. Evaluation objectives are to compare outcome between children in intervention and control areas, conduct health economic assessments (HEA) and evaluate the processes of the project.Methods/designHEI is a repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal study. The Program Logic Model is based on Social Cognitive Theory and Intervention Mapping. Primary contact groups are children in disadvantaged communities. Core efforts are to confirm and convey knowledge, elucidate and facilitate on-going health work and support implementation of continuous health work. Socioeconomic status is assessed on area level by the parameters yearly average income, degree of employment, tertiary education and percent of inhabitants born in countries where violent conflicts recently have taken place or were ongoing. Anthropometry, food patterns, physical activity and belief in ability to affect health; together with learning, memory and attention assessment will be assessed in 350 children (born 2006). Examinations will be repeated after two years, forming the basis of a health economic analysis. The process evaluation procedure will use document analysis (such as structured reports from meetings and dialogues, school/workplaces policies and curriculum, food service menus); key informant interviews and focus groups with parents, children and professionals.DiscussionInviting, awaiting and including local perspectives create mutual confidence and collaboration. Enhanced self-efficacy and access to relevant knowledge has potential to enable individuals and communities to choose alternatives that are relevant for their health and well-being in a long perspective. The economic of this study may contribute in decision- making processes regarding appropriate public health interventions.

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Neurotoxicology and Behavior

Boyes¹

2012

Patty's Toxicology

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Neurotoxicity is important to consider as a component of occupational and environmental safety and health programs. The failure to do so has contributed to a number of cases in which workers, consumers of manufactured products, and people exposed in the environment were irreparably harmed by exposure to compounds that proved toxic to the nervous system. The field of neurotoxicology originated in response to several episodes of mass poisoning and developed through advances in clinical practice, scientific research, and regulatory actions. This chapter reviews broadly the development of the field of neurotoxicity and discusses some of the predominant current issues. The chapter includes an introduction to the structure and function of the nervous system, the response to injury, the evaluation of sensory, cognitive, and motor functions, and effects on emotionality, mood, and social conduct. Recently, there has been a growing emphasis on potential toxic effects on neurodevelopment and contributions to neurodegenerative diseases. Also, there is a large and growing effort to develop more rapid and cost‐efficient screening tests for potential neurotoxicity. A brief overview of some of the major classes of neurotoxic substances is provided including metals, solvents, pesticides, and persistent organic compounds. Finally, the need for programs to prevent neurotoxic illness is discussed.

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Development and validation of a test battery to assess subtle neurodevelopmental differences in children

Cited by 15 publications

References 46 publications

Fish consumption and prenatal methylmercury exposure: Cognitive and behavioral outcomes in the main cohort at 17 years from the Seychelles child development study

Fish consumption and prenatal methylmercury exposure: Cognitive and behavioral outcomes in the main cohort at 17 years from the Seychelles child development study

Health Equilibrium Initiative: a public health intervention to narrow the health gap and promote a healthy weight in Swedish children

Neurotoxicology and Behavior

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