Advancing the Selection of Neurodevelopmental Measures in Epidemiological Studies of Environmental Chemical Exposure and Health Effects

Eric Youngstrom,Laura Gutermuth Anthony,Katherine Squibb,Michael Goodman,Paul H Lipkin,Bruno J Anthony,Lauren Kenworthy,Judy S Lakind,Donald R Mattison

doi:10.3390/ijerph7010229

Abstract

With research suggesting increasing incidence of pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, questions regarding etiology continue to be raised. Neurodevelopmental function tests have been used in epidemiology studies to evaluate relationships between environmental chemical exposures and neurodevelopmental deficits. Limitations of currently used tests and difficulties with their interpretation have been described, but a comprehensive critical examination of tests commonly used in studies of environmental chemicals and pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders has not been conducted. We provide here a listing and critical evaluation of commonly used neurodevelopmental tests in studies exploring effects from chemical exposures and recommend measures that are not often used, but should be considered. We also discuss important considerations in selecting appropriate tests and provide a case study by reviewing the literature on polychlorinated biphenyls.

Highlights

Many underlying causes for childhood neurodevelopmental disorders have been explored, including early exposures to environmental chemicals [1]
We reviewed the measures used to assess neurodevelopmental effects of toxicants, concentrating on those measures previously used in the PCBs epidemiology literature
Entirely new measures are available that warrant consideration for inclusion in new studies of toxicants due to their superior psychometric properties;

Summary

Introduction

Many underlying causes for childhood neurodevelopmental disorders have been explored, including early (e.g., fetal, perinatal) exposures to environmental chemicals [1]. In environmental epidemiology studies, neurodevelopmental function tests form the basis for evaluations of associations between chemical exposure and human health effects. The uses of neurodevelopmental tests in studies of environmental chemicals and pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders have been reviewed [2,3,4] and limitations of currently used tests and the difficulties with their interpretation have been described [5,6], for example in relation to long-term consistency of test outcomes. A comprehensive critical examination of commonly used tests in environmental epidemiology has not been conducted. Many commonly used measures in other research areas (e.g., neuropsychology) have not gained wide use in the environmental chemical study arena and deserve attention

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Conclusion