Grantee Research Project Results

Neurobehavioral Effects of PCBs and Methylmercury in Rats

EPA Grant Number: R829390C001
Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829390
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems
Center Director: Reckhow, David A.
Title: Neurobehavioral Effects of PCBs and Methylmercury in Rats
Investigators: Schantz, Susan L. , Widholm, John J.
Current Investigators: Schantz, Susan L.
Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: October 17, 2001 through October 16, 2002
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2001) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health

Objective:

The FRIENDS Children's Environmental Health Center is a university/community partnership, which was established to investigate the health effects of combined exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and methylmercury (MeHg) in Hmong and Laotian refugees consuming contaminated fish from the Fox River in northeastern Wisconsin. PCBs and MeHg are neurotoxic compounds that tend to occur together in the environment, especially in fish and seafood. Recent research suggests that the two compounds may have additive or synergistic effects on nervous system function. The goals of the FRIENDS Center are to study the impact of PCB and MeHg exposure on women's reproductive health and child development-focusing on neuropsychological development, to develop effective educational strategies to reduce exposure to these contaminants in reproductive age women and children, and to conduct laboratory studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms through which these contaminants induce neurological deficits in children. Partners in the research include the Hmong Association of Green Bay and the Fort Howard/Jefferson Neighborhood Family Resource Center of Green Bay, as well as researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Texas A & M University, Michigan State University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, SUNY Buffalo and the New York State Department of Health.

This particular project is being conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The primary objectives are to characterize the cognitive, motor and sensory effects of perinatal exposure to PCBs alone, MeHg alone or PCBs and MeHg in combination in the laboratory rat, to investigate the role of changes in specific neurotransmitter systems in mediating specific behavioral effects, to investigate the role of altered thyroid hormones in mediating specific behavioral effects and to use the results from these animal experiments to guide the selection of behavioral tests for use in children exposed to PCBs and MeHg through maternal consumption of contaminated fish.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 15 publications for this subproject | View all 40 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 5 journal articles for this subproject | View all 23 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

PCBs, MeHg, cognitive, auditory, motor, rats, thyroid hormones, neurotransmitters,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, Risk Assessments, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Physical Processes, Children's Health, genetic susceptability, Molecular Biology/Genetics, Risk Assessment, sensitive populations, neurotoxic, developmental neurotoxicology, biomarkers, childhood cancer, exposure, PCBs, animal model, developmental effects, children, Human Health Risk Assessment, human exposure, methylmercury, residential populations, PCB, children's vulnerablity, assessment of exposure, neurodevelopmental toxicity, neurobehavioral effects, biological markers, neurotransmitters, toxics

Progress and Final Reports:

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R829390    Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829390C001 Neurobehavioral Effects of PCBs and Methylmercury in Rats
R829390C002 Perinatal PCB Exposure and Neuropsychological/Auditory Function
R829390C003 FRIENDS Analytical Toxicology Core Facility
R829390C004 Developmental Effects of PCBs and Methylmercury