Effect of succimer chelation therapy on postural balance and gait outcomes in children with early exposure to environmental lead.
This study investigated the influence of succimer chelation therapy in eliminating and/or minimizing lead-associated impairments of motor functions such as postural balance and locomotion or gait activities. In this study, postural balance and functional locomotion or gait were quantitated in 161 children in Cincinnati enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial. In comparison to the placebo group, the succimer therapy group showed significantly decreased postural sway during dynamic task performance implying improved postural balance. The results from locomotion tests demonstrated significant improvements in functional tasks of obstacle crossing and normal walking in the succimer treated group. While some beneficial neuromotor effects of succimer therapy were observed in the present study there remains several unanswered questions such as how long these effects will persist and how succimer therapy modifies lead-associated cerebellar deficits manifesting as perturbations in vestibular and/or proprioception systems for postural balance and functional locomotion.
Bhattacharya
Amit
A
Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati Medical College, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA. bhattaat@uc.edu
Shukla
Rakesh
R
Auyang
Edward D
ED
Dietrich
Kim N
KN
Bornschein
Robert
R
D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000378:metabolism; D020264:Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000187:drug effects; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D004113:Succimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000187:drug effects
D002614:Chelating Agents; D007854:Lead; D004492:Edetic Acid; D004113:Succimer