title: The association between razor clam consumption and memory in the CoASTAL Cohort.
abstract: This study represents a preliminary effort to examine the possible impacts of chronic, low level Domoic Acid (DA) exposure on memory in the CoASTAL cohort. Five hundred thirteen men and women representing three Native American Tribes were studied with standard measures of cognition and razor clam consumption (a known vector of DA exposure) over a four year period. In addition, a pilot metric of DA concentration exposure was used which took into consideration average DA concentration levels in source beaches as well as consumption. Based upon GEE analysis, controlling for age, sex, race, year, education level, tribe, and employment status, findings indicated that high razor clam consumers (15 or more per month) had isolated decrements on some measures of memory (p=.02 to .03), with other cognitive functions unaffected. The relatively lower memory scores were still within normal limits, thus not clinically significant. The pilot DA exposure metric had no association with any aspect of cognition or behavior. There is a possible association between long term, low level exposure to DA through heavy razor clam consumption and memory. The availability of a reliable biological marker for human exposure to DA is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology: Division of Neuropsychology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 110 S. Paca St. 3 Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201.
authors.forename: Lynn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Grattan
authors.affiliation: Cancer Center Department: Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Manoa, 701 Ilalo St. Rm 525, Honolulu, HI 96813.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boushey
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 10 S. Pine Street MSTF 334F, Baltimore, MD 21201.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tracy
authors.affiliation: Marine Biotoxins Program, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Blvd. E., Seattle, WA 98112.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Trainer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology: Division of Neuropsychology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 110 S. Paca St. 3 Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201.
authors.forename: Sparkle M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 10 S. Pine Street MSTF 334F, Baltimore, MD 21201.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schluterman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, 2055 Mowry Road; Box 100009, Gainesville, FL 32610.
authors.forename: J Glenn
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017747:Seafood / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D008387:Marine Toxins
keywords: Amnesic shellfish poisoning; CoASTAL Cohort; Domoic Acid; HAB illness; environmental epidemiology