title: Mercury, APOE, and children's neurodevelopment.
abstract: The benefit of the nutritious elements in fish is insufficient for explaining the controversial finding regarding prenatal mercury (Hg) exposure and neurodevelopment; the varying frequency of susceptible genes among these populations may shed light on these observations. However, limited studies have been reported on the association between genetic susceptibility of prenatal Hg exposure and child development. Apolipoprotein E (APOE, protein; Apoe, gene) is a major protein transporter expressed in the brain. The Apoe epsilon 4 (ε4) allele is associated with poor neural repair function and is a risk factor associated with Alzheimer disease. We conducted a prospective cohort study in 2004 and 2005. In this study, 168 subjects were recruited at delivery and followed up at two years of age, and genetic polymorphisms of Apoe were included to assess genetic susceptibility and to determine the relationship between Hg concentrations in cord blood and neurodevelopment. The results showed that adverse effects on neurodevelopment were consistently associated with prenatal Hg exposure in all subtests of Comprehensive Developmental Inventory for Infants and Toddlers (CDIIT) among ε4 carriers as assessed by both simple linear and multiple linear regression models. After controlling for confounding factors, statistical significance was found in the subtests of cognition tests (β=-8.47, 95% confidence interval (CI)=-16.10 to -0.84), social tests (β=-11.02, 95% CI=-20.85 to -1.19) and the whole test of CDIIT (β=-10.45, 95% CI=-17.36 to -3.54) in a multiple linear regression model. Additionally, the interaction effect between gene polymorphisms of Apoe and Hg levels was significant in the whole test CDIIT and subtests of cognition, language and fine motor tests. In conclusion, Apoe modifies the adverse effects of cord blood Hg on neurodevelopment at the age of two years.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Ching-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yaw-Huei
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Wu-Shiun
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Hua-Fang
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Pau-Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005506:Food Contamination; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007804:Language Development; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D020262:Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012758:Shellfish; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical