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Interactions between chemical and non-chemical stressors and inherent characteristics to elucidate children’s mental health disparities
Citation:
Nilsen, F. AND N. Tulve. Interactions between chemical and non-chemical stressors and inherent characteristics to elucidate children’s mental health disparities. SETAC North America Focused Topic Meeting, Durham, NC, April 16 - 18, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Poster presented at SETAC North America Focused Topic Meeting with the objective to elucidate the links between chemical and non-chemical stressors, inherent characteristics, and activities/behaviors on children’s mental health outcomes using our multifactorial conceptual framework.
Description:
Children may be more vulnerable to the combined interactions of chemical and non-chemical stressors from their built, natural, and social environments when compared to adults. When children are exposed to cigarette smoke, bisphenol A (BPA), or organophosphate pesticides, they are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavior disorder such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). These chemicals affect monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), an enzyme that controls serotonin metabolism. Our objective is to elucidate the links between chemical and non-chemical stressors, inherent characteristics, and activities/behaviors on children’s mental health outcomes using our multifactorial conceptual framework. To address all factors that may influence children’s mental health outcomes, a state-of-the-science literature review is being conducted. Animal toxicology data from previous studies will be used to determine concentrations of relevant chemicals that affect MAOA activity. Reports of genetic, ethnic, and traumatic experiences will also be assessed for their influence on mental health outcomes and MAOA activity. Following the literature review, a meta-analysis of existing human health and toxicology data will determine if these relationships are found in the general population. Preliminary results show that cigarette smoke and common chemicals inhibit MAOA enzymatic activity, but lifestyle (activities/behaviors) and psychosocial (non-chemical) stressors also play a role in mental health outcomes through MAOA. The two genotypes of MAOA dictate inherent serotonin metabolism. When the low-activity genotype (MAOA-L) is combined with traumatic early life experiences, the outcome is increased aggression, violent tendencies, and ASPD. Gestational alcohol, cigarette, and BPA exposure are also linked to aggression, ADHD, and other mental disorders, potentially through MAOA inhibition. The relationship between chemical exposures, genotype (inherent characteristics), and non-chemical stressors and similar outcomes suggest that mental illness in children may be caused by multiple interacting factors. This work is significant since as many as 20% of children are diagnosed with a mental illness annually in the United States with a large number not receiving adequate treatment. A greater understanding of inherent vulnerability and the onset of mental illness may provide better intervention and treatment options to children in need.
