Pilot Projects

Project Title: MRI Studies of the Effects of Environmental Toxins on CNS Development

Principal Investigator: Zhengchao Dong, Ph.D. (Dept. of Neurology)

Collaborators: Bradley Peterson, M.D. (Dept. of Psychiatry) and Frederica Perera, Dr.P.H. (CEHNM)

Year: 2006
Award Amount: $25,000

The aim of this project is to use multiple modalities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to identify the effects of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to various environmental toxins on the structure, metabolism and anatomical connectivity of the brain in 60 5-year-old children. The researchers will recruit subjects from the CCCEH, which follows children exposed to tobacco smoke, PAH and/or pesticides during prenatal and early postnatal development. A sample of children with high levels of exposure will be compare with a control sample of children with low levels of exposure. The hypothesis is that, compared with controls, children with high levels of exposure to environmental toxins will have reduced overall brain size, as well as reduced size in brain structures that subserve higher cognitive functioning. In association with these size reductions, these children will have lower levels of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) (a chemical marker of neuronal integrity), disturbances in connectivity between brain regions, and neurodevelopmental outcomes that correlate with MRI findings of reductions in volume, NAA levels, and anatomical and axonal connectivity. These hypotheses will be tested with data acquired through anatomical MRI (measuring brain volumes), Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging (MRSI) (measuring neurochemical concentrations), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) (measuring anatomical and axonal connectivity between brain regions), and assessments of neurodevelopment.

Results. The initiation of this pilot was delayed pending IRB approval. The protocol has now been approved and work has begun.

Outcomes. In progress (no publications to date).