Strong Children's Research Center

News from the SCDS

News from the SCDS

 

Summer 2010

 

Main Study Cohort

  • Data from the examination of the cohort at 17years has been analyzed. The examination included neuropsychological endpoints, such as CANTAB, paper and pencil tests, such as the California Verbal Learning Test, and a Healthy Behaviors questionnaire completed anonymously by cohort members. The results are contained in two papers now in review and expected to be published by the end of 2010.  
  • Examination of the Cohort at 19 years was completed in late 2009. The examination included neuropsychological endpoints such as Finger Tapping, paper and pencil tests such as the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Scholastic Achievement, a battery of computer-based behavioral tasks, a series of measures of autonomic heart regulation, such as R-R interval variability 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and a baroreflex measure and measures of auditory processing, such as the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response and Otoacoustic Emmis ions. These data have now been entered and cleaned, analysis plans have been developed and data analysis is underway. We expect data analysis to be completed by early 2011.
  • A supplemental project is underway to evaluate the origins of success in school amongst Main Cohort subjects. School performance measures including year- end grades, National Examination scores  and Southern African Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SAQMEC) scores were  linked to the SCDS database that contains data on the subjects basic ability dating to early in life. The study has been completed. The results are reported in a paper to be published in NeuroToxicology later in 2010. The Ministry of Education is collaborating with us on this project and hopes to use the results to assist with future curriculum design.
  • We are analyzing data measuring lifespan social status to determine whether Socioeconomic Status acts as an effect modifier of prenatal MeHg exposure. The results should be ready for publication in mid 2011.

Nutrition 1 Study Cohort

  • The examinations through 30 months found that maternal serum concentration of Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFA) may counterbalance adverse effects of prenatal exposure to MeHg. Future studies will seek to confirm this finding. For more information, see our website http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pediatrics/research/Seychelles/.
  • Analysis of evaluations at age 5 years have been completed and analyzed. This phase of the nutrition study is being funded by the European Union under PHIME. (Public Health Impact of Long Term Low Level Mixed Element Exposure in Susceptible Population Strata). PHIME is an umbrella project of mainly European researchers, but also includes the University of Ulster, the Ministry of Health in Seychelles, and the University of Rochester. A report of results from the 5-year evaluation is expected by the end of 2010.
  • A dental Study involving the Nutrition 1 Cohort aims to determine the impact of dental amalgams on child development. We have determined their prenatal exposure to inorganic mercury based on the maternal amalgam status in pregnancy and have begun to examine the cohort children for postnatal exposure to inorganic Hg vapor from placement of dental amalgam fillings. A developmental evaluation of this cohort at 8 years of age has been completed and the data are being analyzed. We will examine the cohort once more beginning in late 2010.

Nutrition 2 Study Cohort

  • We have begun to examine a newly enrolled cohort of 1,500 20-month old infants to evaluate the associations between prenatal MeHg, and three nutrients, including LCPUFA, vitamin E and selenium. The Seychelles authorities are interested in establishing a firm scientific basis for the determination of public health action on the issue of exposure to MeHg from fish consumption. On one hand fish is an important part of the Seychellois diet and a vital source of nutrients and health benefits, and on the other, any potential threat to children’s development is of great concern. The Government will continue to support research that examines the impact of MeHg exposure and the nutritional factors that influence child development and that, in addition, may modify the impact of MeHg. It is hoped that the study will support an evidence-based evaluation of the risks and benefits of the predominantly fish-based Seychellois diet, which will have implications for public health not only in Seychelles, but throughout the world where fish is consumed.

Social Communication Study

    • We administered Social Communication Questionnaires (SCQ) to members of the Main Cohort, the Nutrition 1 Cohort, and a Third Cohort comprised of over 3,000 subjects whose mothers agreed to donate hair during pregnancy between 1986 and 1989 for later MeHg analysis. The SCQ measures autism spectrum disorder phenotypic behaviors. This study is nearing completion of data collection. Results are expected in early 2011.