Grantee Research Project Results
2017 Progress Report: The Impact of PAH Exposure on Adolescent Neurodevelopment: Disruption of Self-Regulatory Processes
EPA Grant Number: R836154C001Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R836154
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: The Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health
Center Director: Perera, Frederica P.
Title: The Impact of PAH Exposure on Adolescent Neurodevelopment: Disruption of Self-Regulatory Processes
Investigators: Rauh, Virginia
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
RFA: Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers (2014) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Endocrine Disruptors , Human Health
Objective:
Aim 1: We will assess the effects of prenatal PAH exposure on neuropsychological performance at 15-17 years of age in a cohort of 350 adolescents who have been followed since the prenatal period.
Aim 2: We will assess the effects of prenatal PAH exposure on clinical outcomes at 15-17 years of age in the same adolescents.
Aim 3: We will examine the maturational trajectories of neuropsychological and clinical (cognitive, behavioral and emotional) development over time as a function of early PAH exposure.
Aim 4 (integrative): All 3 projects in this P50 share a common cohort in which we will explore how prenatal PAH exposure dysregulates neurodevelopment (project 1) and physical growth (project 2) via its mediational effects on the brain (project 3).
Progress Summary:
In this project period, we have been working steadily on data collection; specifically in relation to neuropsychological and clinical assessments. These assessments are conducted at the office/lab visit that also includes the obesity assessments and the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) assessments. We continue to work on the smooth integration of protocol components, with breaks for snacks and lunch. The order of test administration is being monitored by the neuropsychological tester and the research assistants (RAs) to minimize participant fatigue, and facilitate transitions from office to lab sites. Neuropsychological testing and anthropometric testing continue to take place in our CCCEH suite, and subjects are walked across the street to the MRI lab.
During the first project period, we established a protocol for immediate scoring of high-risk instruments, using cut points designed by Drs. Rauh and Peterson. During this study period, we employed the decision rules for (1) immediate action or (2) mental health referral. This resulted in three referrals for non-urgent mental health consultation, and no decisions for urgent mental health intervention. This procedure has been working smoothly.
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. To date, we have too few subjects assessed to conduct trajectory analysis involving newly-collected data. No data analyses or conclusions are available at this time.
Future Activities:
In the coming reporting period we will continue follow-up of the cohort members as they reach ages 16-18 years and expect to complete 144 follow-up visits. The next reporting period will continue to focus on intensive data collection from the study subjects. Clinical visits during which the study participants will come to the Center’s clinical offices, complete the neuropsychological testing, and undergo anthropometric and fitness assessments and then have MRI scans at the CU Neurological Institute will be completed on weekdays and weekends. The recruitment and data collection will follow the approaches described in our grant application. The Data Core has established protocols for data acquisition, cleaning, storage and distribution to study investigators that will also ensure scientific rigor. We plan to continue to use DCC protocols.
Dr. Rauh will continue to work with Dr. Peterson and statistician Dr. Bowman on all data analyses involving the integration of exposure, behavioral, neuropsychological and clinical data with MRI modalities. Statistical models will be specified and implemented in each modality, incorporating relevant covariates and addressing potential confounds as indicated. Findings will be interpreted and, based on those interpretations, manuscripts will be prepared and submitted for publication.
Supplemental Keywords:
neurodevelopment, PAH, MRI, prenatal exposureRelevant Websites:
http://ccceh.org/ Exit Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R836154 The Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health 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.