Philip William Davidson, Ph.D.

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Dr. Davidson's major research interests include: Aging and Developmental Disabilities; Behavior Disorders; and Neurotoxicants and Development.

Philip W. Davidson, PhD is working with Gary Myers, MD, to study the effects of transplacentally transmitted methylmercury (MeHg) on child development. Ocean and lake fish ingest methylated Hg++ and store it in fatty tissue. Humans ingesting fish through dietary intake, therefore, are exposed to MeHg, known to be a CNS toxin and a teratogen. Eating only a few meals of fish per month may raise MeHg to levels that exceed the WHO standard. Recent studies have indicated that low-dose exposure may present a toxic stimulus in utero and affect the development of those offspring of mothers who eat fish during pregnancy. The study is focused on developmental outcomes in a cohort of about 800 children prenatally exposed to MeHg in the Republic of Seychelles.

Dr. Davidson is also studying the characteristics of persons with developmental disabilities and concomitant severe behavior disorders. Between 10%-30% of persons with developmental disabilities are believed to have psychiatric disorders. Among the most contentious of these so-called dual diagnoses is the coincidence of mental retardation and aggressive or assaultive behavior. This cohort of individuals is rarely able to live in community settings and often must live and work in overly restrictive environments.

Little is known of the etiology, natural history, and treatment of this disorder. Studies are under way to characterize assaultive subjects, and examine best practices in diagnoses and treatment. This study is in collaborative with Nancy Cain, MD, of the Department of Psychiatry.

Specialty

Developmental Disabilities

Current Appointments

• Professor - Department of Pediatrics (SMD)
• Professor - Department of Environmental Medicine (SMD)
• Professor - Department of Psychiatry (SMD)