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Grantee Research Project Results

2012 Progress Report: CHAMACOS Cohort Project: Pesticides and PBDE on Neurobehavior and Puberty

EPA Grant Number: R834513C001
Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R834513
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).

Center: Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico
Center Director: Alshawabkeh, Akram
Title: CHAMACOS Cohort Project: Pesticides and PBDE on Neurobehavior and Puberty
Investigators: Eskenazi, Brenda , Holland, Nina T. , Sjodin, Andreas , Bradman, Asa , Johnson, Caroline , Smith, Donald , Eisen, Ellen , Chevrier, Jonathan , Harley, Kim , Arora, Manish , Lustig, Robert
Current Investigators: Eskenazi, Brenda
Institution: University of California - Berkeley
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2014 (Extended to July 31, 2017)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2011 through May 31,2012
RFA: Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers (with NIEHS) (2009) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health

Objective:

In Project A (R834513C001) we are examining the association of DDT, Mn, and PBDEs with neurodevelopment and onset of puberty in boys in the CHAMACOS cohort. This study directly addresses worldwide concerns that changes in onset of sexual maturation may be related to endocrine disruptors in the environment and fills a large data gap on boys. It also addresses concerns that exposure to DDT/E, PBDEs and Mn may compromise neurodevelopment.

Progress Summary:

1. To maintain and expand the CHAMACOS cohort as children begin the critical transition to puberty, assessing neurodevelopment and pubertal development in 300 boys from 9 to 13 years of age.
We completed enrollment of new “CHAM2” participants in Aug 2011, as anticipated. We have surpassed our goal of maintaining and expanding the cohort to 300 boys. At age 9, we conducted neurodevelopmental assessments on 319 boys (154 original “CHAM1” boys and 165 new “CHAM2” boys) and conducted pubertal assessments on 314 boys (151 CHAM1 and 163 CHAM2). We have completed all of the 9- and 9¾-year visits; 10½, 11¾, and 12 year visits are still underway. The 12-year visit began in March and 21 boys of the expected ~300 have been assessed as of May 25.
 
Retention of the original CHAM1 cohort has exceeded expectations and was a major factor in our ability to exceed our goal of 300 boys at age 9. At 9 years, we saw 96% of the CHAM1 children assessed at age 7. At 10½, we again saw 96% of the children assessed at age 9. Our success has been largely due to one staff member who has been working full time at scheduling and tracking participants and finding those who have moved.
 
2. To determine whether prenatal and childhood exposure to DDT/E, PBDEs, and Mn are associated with neurobehavioral functioning at age 9, 10½, and 12 years.
Collection of neurodevelopmental test data at age 9 is now complete. These data have been entered and are now being cleaned and preliminary analyses are beginning. We are currently gathering neurodevelopmental data on the boys at 10½ years of age. To date, 230 boys have completed the 10½-year test battery. We expect data collection on this visit to be completed in Feb 2013.
 
The 12-year visit began in March. This test battery will be similar to the one conducted at age 9, and will assess executive function (Wisconsin Card Sort Task, Balloon Analog Risk Task), memory (memory for designs, story memory tasks), motor skills (finger tapping, pegboard), and social cognition (affect recognition task). We will also gather information on attention problems using a continuous performance test and maternal report using the Conner’s ADHD/DSM-IV Scale. The mothers will report on the child’s executive functioning using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF).
 
Prenatal DDT/E and PBDE concentrations are available for CHAM1 participants. Blood samples collected from CHAM1 and CHAM2 mothers and sons at the 9-year-old visit are currently at CDC and awaiting analysis for DDT/E and PBDEs. Once the maternal 9Y DDT/E and PBDE concentrations are available, we will begin construction of PBPK and statistical models to estimate prenatal DDT/E and PBDE concentrations for the CHAM2 participants.
 
We have encountered some challenges with measurement of prenatal and age 9 measurements of Mn, as mentioned above. Prenatal Mn levels in teeth have been measured for 119 boys, an additional 40 teeth are currently being prepared for analysis, and we continue to collect additional teeth from boys in the study. However, if we are unable to collect 300 analyzable teeth, we would like to include girls in the analysis. Mn in girls’ teeth is already being measured under Project B. As previously mentioned, we have decided not to measure Mn levels in blood at age 9 and are instead preparing to measure Mn in children’s hair samples.
 
Preliminary analyses of the CHAM1 children show increased odds of anxiety among children with higher prenatal p,p’-DDT (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0, 1,8) and p,p’-DDE (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.5) concentrations. Suggestive associations are also seen with aggression and attention problems. We hope to present these findings at the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology this summer.
 
3. To determine whether prenatal and childhood exposure to DDT/E, PBDEs, and Mn are associated with timing of pubertal development in boys between age 9 and 13 years.
Pubertal assessments at 9 and 9¾ years of age are now complete. Assessments at 10½, 11¾, and 12 years are on-going. Data entry and data cleaning of the 9 and 9¾ visits is currently underway and preliminary data are available on CHAM1. At 9 years of age, most boys are still pre-pubertal, suggesting that the age range for this study of 9-12 years is appropriate to capture onset of puberty for the majority of boys. Only 16 percent of boys were in stage 2 for genital development and less than 3% of boys are in stage 2 for pubic hair development. No boys were in stage 3-5 for either measure.
 
4. To determine whether prenatal and childhood exposure to DDT/E, PBDEs, and Mn are associated with hormone levels in boys at age 12.
Blood sample collection at age 12 for analysis of hormones began in March 2012. We have collected blood samples for hormone measurements from 16 of the 21 boys assessed to date at age 12. Blood samples must be collected before 9 am to minimize diurnal variability in hormone levels. Thus, blood samples lag behind other data collection because they must be collected at a separate home or office visit up to 2 weeks after the main 12 year visit.

Future Activities:

In year 4, we will complete the 10½ year and continue with the 11¼ and 12 year visits. We will complete data entry and cleaning of the 9 and 9¾ year questionnaires, neurodevelopment, and Tanner staging data. We anticipate that PBDE and DDT/E concentrations at 9 years will be available by late summer 2012. Marc Andre Verner will begin the construction of PBPK models once the DDT/E and PBDE results are received. Statistical analyses of 9 year data for Aims 2 and 3 will begin when these results are available.


Journal Articles on this Report : 18 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other subproject views: All 148 publications 76 publications in selected types All 76 journal articles
Other center views: All 697 publications 170 publications in selected types All 169 journal articles
Publications
Type Citation Sub Project Document Sources
Journal Article Alkon A, Boyce WT, Davis NV, Eskenazi B. Developmental changes in autonomic nervous system resting and reactivity measures in Latino children from 6 to 60 months of age. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 2011;32(9):668-677. R834513 (2012)
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  • Journal Article Alkon A, Boyce WT, Tran L, Harley KG, Neuhaus J, Eskenazi B. Prenatal adversities and Latino children's autonomic nervous system reactivity trajectories from 6 months to 5 years of age. PLoS One 2014;9(1):e86283. R834513 (2012)
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  • Journal Article Alkon A, Harley KG, Neilands TB, Tambellini K, Lustig RH, Boyce WT, Eskenazi B. Latino children's body mass index at 2-3.5 years predicts sympathetic nervous system activity at 5 years. Childhood Obesity 2014;10(3):214-224. R834513 (2012)
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  • Journal Article Arora M, Bradman A, Austin C, Vedar M, Holland N, Eskenazi B, Smith DR. Determining fetal manganese exposure from mantle dentine of deciduous teeth. Environmental Science & Technology 2012;46(9):5118-5125. R834513 (2010)
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  • Journal Article Bouchard MF, Chevrier J, Harley KG, Kogut K, Vedar M, Calderon N, Trujillo C, Johnson C, Bradman A, Barr DB, Eskenazi B. Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides and IQ in 7-year-old children. Environmental Health Perspectives 2011;119(8):1189-1195. R834513 (2010)
    R834513 (2011)
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  • Journal Article Castorina R, Bradman A, Sjodin A, Fenster L, Jones RS, Harley KG, Eisen EA, Eskenazi B. Determinants of serum polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels among pregnant women in the CHAMACOS cohort. Environmental Science & Technology 2011;45(15):6553-6560. R834513 (2010)
    R834513 (2011)
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  • Journal Article Chevrier J, Harley KG, Bradman A, Sjodin A, Eskenazi B. Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants and neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in the CHAMACOS study. American Journal of Epidemiology 2011;174(10):1166-1174. R834513 (2010)
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  • Journal Article Chevrier J, Harley KG, Kogut K, Holland N, Johnson C, Eskenazi B. Maternal thyroid function during the second half of pregnancy and child neurodevelopment at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months of age. Journal of Thyroid Research 2011;2011:426427 (13 pp.). R834513 (2011)
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  • Journal Article Chevrier J, Gunier RB, Bradman A, Holland NT, Calafat AM, Eskenazi B, Harley KG. Maternal urinary bisphenol A during pregnancy and maternal and neonatal thyroid function in the CHAMACOS study. Environmental Health Perspectives 2013;121(1):138-144. R834513 (2012)
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  • Journal Article Ehrlich SF, Rosas LG, Ferrara A, King JC, Abrams B, Harley KG, Hedderson MM, Eskenazi B. Pregnancy glucose levels in women without diabetes or gestational diabetes and childhood cardiometabolic risk at 7 years of age. Journal of Pediatrics 2012;161(6):1016-1021. R834513 (2012)
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  • Journal Article Ehrlich SF, Rosas LG, Ferrara A, King JC, Abrams B, Harley KG, Hedderson MM, Eskenazi B. Pregnancy glycemia in Mexican-American women without diabetes or gestational diabetes and programming for childhood obesity. American Journal of Epidemiology 2013;177(8):768-775. R834513 (2012)
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  • Journal Article Eskenazi B, Fenster L, Castorina R, Marks AR, Sjodin A, Rosas LG, Holland N, Guerra AG, Lopez-Carrillo L, Bradman A. A comparison of PBDE serum concentrations in Mexican and Mexican-American children living in California. Environmental Health Perspectives 2011;119(10):1442-1448. R834513 (2010)
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  • Journal Article Eskenazi B, Chevrier J, Rauch SA, Kogut K, Harley KG, Johnson C, Trujillo C, Sjodin A, Bradman A. In utero and childhood polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposures and neurodevelopment in the CHAMACOS study. Environmental Health Perspectives 2013;121(2):257-262. R834513 (2012)
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  • Journal Article Harley KG, Huen K, Aguilar Schall R, Holland NT, Bradman A, Barr DB, Eskenazi B. Association of organophosphate pesticide exposure and paraoxonase with birth outcome in Mexican-American women. PLoS ONE 2011;6(8):e23923 (10 pp.). R834513 (2010)
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  • Journal Article Harley KG, Chevrier J, Schall RA, Sjodin A, Bradman A, Eskenazi B. Association of prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and infant birth weight. American Journal of Epidemiology 2011;174(8):885-892. R834513 (2010)
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  • Journal Article Harley KG, Aguilar Schall R, Chevrier J, Tyler K, Aguirre H, Bradman A, Holland NT, Lustig RH, Calafat AM, Eskenazi B. Prenatal and postnatal bisphenol A exposure and body mass index in childhood in the CHAMACOS cohort. Environmental Health Perspectives 2013;121(4):514-520. R834513 (2012)
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  • Journal Article Quiros-Alcala L, Alkon AD, Boyce WT, Lippert S, Davis NV, Bradman A, Barr DB, Eskenazi B. Maternal prenatal and child organophosphate pesticide exposures and children's autonomic function. NeuroToxicology 2011;32(5):646-655. R834513 (2010)
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  • Journal Article Weldon RH, Barr DB, Trujillo C, Bradman A, Holland N, Eskenazi B. A pilot study of pesticides and PCBs in the breast milk of women residing in urban and agricultural communities of California. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 2011;13(11):3136-3144. R834513 (2011)
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  • Supplemental Keywords:

    DDT, DDE, PBDEs, flame retardants, manganese, maneb, puberty, neurodevelopment, behavior, children's health, CHAMACOS, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Health Risk Assessment, Biochemistry, Children's Health, Environmental Policy, Biology, farmworkers, pesticide exposure, flame retardants, PBDE, children's vulnerablity, neurochemical effects, harmful environmental agents, biological markers, agricultural community

    Relevant Websites:

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    Progress and Final Reports:

    Original Abstract
  • 2010 Progress Report
  • 2011 Progress Report
  • 2013 Progress Report
  • 2014 Progress Report
  • 2015 Progress Report
  • 2016 Progress Report
  • Final Report

  • Main Center Abstract and Reports:

    R834513    Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico

    Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
    R834513C001 CHAMACOS Cohort Project: Pesticides and PBDE on Neurobehavior and Puberty
    R834513C002 Project B: Exposure Project: Mn, DDT/E and PBDE Exposure to Farmworker Children
    R834513C003 Epigenetics Project
    R834513C004 Community Outreach and Translation Core

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    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

    Project Research Results

    • Final Report
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    148 publications for this subproject
    76 journal articles for this subproject
    Main Center: R834513
    697 publications for this center
    169 journal articles for this center

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