Grantee Research Project Results
2017 Progress Report: The Columbia Center for Childrens Environmental Health
EPA Grant Number: R836154Center: Southern California Children's Environmental Health Center
Center Director: McConnell, Rob Scot
Title: The Columbia Center for Childrens Environmental Health
Investigators: Perera, Frederica P. , Peterson, Bradley S , Rundle, Andrew , Rauh, Virginia
Current Investigators: Perera, Frederica P. , Rauh, Virginia , Rundle, Andrew , Peterson, Bradley S , Shepard, Peggy , Hernandez, Diana
Institution: Columbia University in the City of New York , University of Southern California
Current Institution: Columbia University in the City of New York
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Project Period: September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2019 (Extended to August 31, 2020)
Project Period Covered by this Report: May 1, 2016 through May 1,2017
Project Amount: $2,552,707
RFA: Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers (2014) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Human Health , Children's Health
Objective:
The Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health’s (CCCEH) overarching hypothesis is that prenatal exposures to environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) disrupt development and maturation of neural systems that support capacities for self-regulation of thought, emotion, and behavior; and these disturbances create vulnerabilities that lead to the emergence or persistence of Cognitive, Emotional, Behavioral, and Adiposity (hereafter, “CEBA”) problems in the vulnerable period of adolescence. We have finalized the processing of the MRI data collected at earlier ages (9-12) and integrated the MRI data with demographic, behavioral, and cognitive data collected at the same ages. The Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) analysis are nearly complete, and we are currently working on the analysis for Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) perfusion data. These preliminary results support our overall hypothesis.
Progress Summary:
Over the past year, we have brought in participants for all three projects covered under the grant. The visit takes 5-6 hours and includes a neuropsychiatric battery, obesity questionnaires, anthropometric measures, and brain and abdominal MRIs. During the funding period, we have seen 56 participants in total, with 55 completing the neuropsychological battery, and 53 completing an MRI. Three participants were unable to complete the MRI protocol and we are finding that with the busy schedule of the adolescents, some need to come in twice to complete the visit. Additionally, three participants have met the criteria for a mental-health consultation with our Pediatric Health Specialist, Charles Soule, who is a clinical psychologist that has worked with the cohort for several years.
The Community Outreach and Translation Core (COTC), along with our partner West Harlem Environmental Action (WEACT), has made sound progress on their project to assess the impact of policy change in New York City (NYC) on air pollution and health outcomes and their project to determine which mobile application on environmental health information is the most useful in this community. The policy change initiatives have been narrowed down to changes in the taxi fleet, bus fleet, and heating oil requirements, and analyses are well underway. The mobile apps have been narrowed down to 15, and we will host focus groups with mothers and children from our cohort over the next year. The Administrative Core has been facilitating day-to-day management of the projects and cores to ensure progress is made in the scientific and translational aims of the grant, as well as facilitating the training of the Career Development Investigator.
For Project 1, The Impact of PAH Exposure on Adolescent Neurodevelopment: Disruption of Self-Regulatory Processes, we continued recruitment, scheduling, and assessment activities related to neuropsychological and clinical functioning in the adolescent subjects and their mothers. These objectives are consistent with Aim 1, where we will assess the effects of prenatal PAH exposure on neuropsychological performance at 15-17 years of age; and Aim 2, where we will assess the effects of prenatal PAH exposure on clinical outcomes at 15-17 years of age in the same adolescents. In total, we have conducted assessments on 56 subjects during this project period. Of these, 55 subjects have complete neuropsychological testing and 3 subjects were unable to complete the MRI protocol. With respect to Aims 3 and 4, we have too few subjects assessed to conduct trajectory analysis involving newly collected data. There are no data analyses or conclusions available at this time.
For Project 2, The Impact of PAH Exposure on Childhood Growth Trajectories and Visceral Adipose Tissue Mass in Adolescence: Linkages to Disrupted Self-Regulatory Processes, we have been collecting data on activities related to diet, physical activity, and anthropometric measures in the teen subjects and their mothers. This activity is consistent with Specific Aims 1-3. Further integration of anthropometric data from pilot and spin-off studies that used Children’s Center participants into our growth trajectory data set is consistent with Aim 2. Currently, we have too few subjects assessed to conduct trajectory analysis. Data analyses for two conference abstracts/posters have been completed and will be expanded to full manuscripts. Both abstracts find that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity, a major risk factor for childhood obesity, is associated with poorer child neurodevelopment among boys. The second abstract shows that the effect of pre-pregnancy obesity is independent (not confounded or nor modified) of prenatal exposure to PAH and chlorpyrifos. In addition, research is being conducted to study the links between socio-economic status and material hardship from birth to age 11 and body composition (% body fat and Fat Mass Index) trajectories at ages 7, 9 and 11. Although the analyses are not complete, thus far, familial socio-economic status and material hardship do not predict differences in body fat.
For Project 3, An MRI Study of the Effects of Prenatal and Early Childhood PAH Exposure on Brain Maturation and Its Mediating Influences on Adverse Adolescent Outcomes, consistent with Aims 1 and 2, processing of anatomical data, task-based fMRI and Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) perfusion data, Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data, and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) data for children aged 9-12 is complete. Integration with demographic, behavioral, and cognitive data also is complete. Statistical analyses is underway for ASL perfusion data, and is nearly complete for the DTI and MRS data sets. The DTI findings, combined with prior anatomical findings of reduced white matter volumes in the left cerebral hemisphere, suggest that smaller white matter volumes are associated with a pathologically greater density and organization of white matter tissue in those exposed to higher prenatal PAH levels. This greater density or organization of white matter could derive from several different cellular features of white matter, including smaller and more densely packed axons, more glial cells or myelin, or reduced extracellular space and its fluids. Meanwhile, the MRS findings show that greater prenatal exposure to PAH are associated with reduced NAA, choline, and creatine, primarily in the posterior cingulate cortex, and also in the midbody and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, dorsal white matter, basal ganglia, and thalamus. For Aim 3, the quality of anatomical brain images acquired thus far is superb, both from the perspective of scanner performance and the presence of minimal motion artifact.
Future Activities:
In general, in the coming reporting period we will continue followup of the cohort members as they reach ages 15-18 years by bringing them in for the assessment consisting of neuropsychological testing, anthropometric and fitness assessments, and MRI; we expect to complete 144 followup visits. The next reporting period will focus on intensive data collection from the study subjects, and we will utilize protocols established by the Data Core to accurately record and store data.
In our progress report last year, we reported delays in participant visits as a result of developing a single MRI scan protocol that acquired both brain and abdominal images for Projects 2 and 3. We projected that we would be able to bring in 135 participants in Year 2, but are finding that our current rate is slower than anticipated due to having one person that is able to administer the neurodevelopmental testing and the busy schedule of adolescents who would prefer weekend visits. In years 3 and 4, we plan to complete recruitment by bringing in 144 participants per year to meet our planned 350 total.
The Community Outreach and Translation Core will continue their work with our partner, West Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT), to disseminate research findings through the Center’s website, social media accounts, and assisting with press releases. They will continue analyses focusing on the taxi fleet, bus fleet, and heating oil legislation and the impact on health in NYC. The COTC will host focus groups to narrow down the environmental health information mobile apps that are relevant to local communities.
Journal Articles: 9 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other center views: | All 12 publications | 9 publications in selected types | All 9 journal articles |
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Conrad L, Rauh V, Hopener L, Acosta L, Perera F, Rundle A, Arteaga-Solis E, Miller R, Perzanowski M. Report of prenatal maternal demoralization and material hardship and infant rhinorrhea and watery eyes. Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology 2020;125(4):399. |
R836154 (2019) R832144 (Final) |
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Durham T, Guo J, Cowell W, Riley K, Wang S, Tang D, Perera F, Herbstman J. Prenatal PM2.5 Exposure in Relation to Maternal and Newborn Telomere Length at Delivery. Toxics 23;10(1):13. |
R836154 (Final) R827027 (2002) R832141 (Final) R834509 (Final) |
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Hoepner LA, Whyatt RM, Widen EM, Hassoun A, Oberfield SE, Mueller NT, Diaz D, Calafat AM, Perera FP, Rundle AG. Bisphenol A and adiposity in an inner-city birth cohort. Environmental Health Perspectives 2016;124(10):1644-1650. |
R836154 (2017) R834509 (Final) |
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Hopson MB, Margolis A, Rauh V, Herbstman JB. Impact of the home environment on the relationship between prenatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and child behavior. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development 2016;9(4):453-464. |
R836154 (2017) |
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Maresca MM, Hoepner LA, Hassoun A, Oberfield SE, Mooney SJ, Calafat AM, Ramirez J, Freyer G, Perera FP, Whyatt RM, Rundle AG. Prenatal exposure to phthalates and childhood body size in an urban cohort. Environmental Health Perspectives 2015 June 12 [Epub ahead of print], doi:10.1289/ehp.1408750. |
R836154 (2017) R834509 (2013) R834509C001 (Final) |
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Margolis AE, Herbstman JB, Davis KS, Thomas VK, Tang D, Wang Y, Wang S, Perera FP, Peterson BS, Rauh VA. Longitudinal effects of prenatal exposure to air pollutants on self-regulatory capacities and social competence. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2016;57(7):851-860. |
R836154 (2017) R834509 (Final) |
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Perera FP, Wheelock K, Wang Y, Tang D, Margolis AE, Badia G, Cowell W, Miller RL, Rauh V, Wang S, Herbstman JB. Combined effects of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and material hardship on child ADHD behavior problems. Environmental Research 2018;160:506-513. |
R836154 (2017) R836154 (2018) |
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Perera F, Nolte ELR, Wang Y, Margolis AE, Calafat AM, Wang S, Garcia W, Hoepner LA, Peterson BS, Rauh V, Herbstman J. Bisphenol A exposure and symptoms of anxiety and depression among inner city children at 10-12 years of age. Environmental Research 2016;151:195-202. |
R836154 (2017) |
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Widen EM, Whyatt RM, Hoepner LA, Mueller NT, Ramirez‐Carvey J, Oberfield SE, Hassoun A, Perera FP, Gallagher D, Rundle AG. Gestational weight gain and obesity, adiposity and body size in African-American and Dominican children in the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. Maternal & Child Nutrition 2016;12(4):918-928. |
R836154 (2017) R834509C001 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Neurodevelopment, PAH, MRI, prenatal exposure, obesity, growth model, brain, adolescent outcomesRelevant Websites:
http://ccceh.org/ Exit Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R836154C001 The Impact of PAH Exposure on Adolescent Neurodevelopment: Disruption of Self-Regulatory Processes
R836154C002 The Impact of PAH Exposure on Childhood Growth Trajectories and Visceral Adipose Tissue
R836154C003 An MRI Study of the Effects of Prenatal and Early Childhood PAH Exposure on Brain Maturation and Its Mediating Influences on Adverse Adolescent Outcomes
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.