Abstract
BackgroundThe aim was to examine the link between low-level arsenic exposure and cognitive functioning, and the potential role of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP A35991G, rs10748835) of the AS3MT gene in modifying this link.MethodsData were analyzed on 526 participants from Project FRONTIER. Hierarchical linear regressions were created with neuropsychological raw index scores as the outcome variable and arsenic exposure and AS3MT SNP as different predictor variables.ResultsWithin the total sample, arsenic exposure was negatively associated with language (p < 0.001) and executive functioning (p < 0.001). Among those with the AA genotype of the AS3MT gene, arsenic levels were negatively associated with language (p < 0.001), attention (p = 0.01), and executive functioning (p = 0.04). Among those with the AG genotype, arsenic levels were positively associated with immediate (p = 0.04) and delayed memory (p < 0.001) and negatively associated with executive functioning (p = 0.03). Among those with the GG genotype, arsenic levels were negatively associated with visuospatial functioning (p = 0.02).ConclusionsLow-level arsenic exposure is associated with cognitive functioning; however, this association is modified by an AS3MT gene.
Highlights
The aim was to examine the link between low-level arsenic exposure and cognitive functioning, and the potential role of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP A35991G, rs10748835) of the arsenic (3+ oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) gene in modifying this link
Current estimated groundwater higher arsenic exposure was found in the total sample to be significantly associated with poorer performance on tasks of language (RBANS Language Raw Index, B [SE] = −0.48 [0.15]; p < 0.001) and executive functioning (EXIT25, B [SE] = 0.49 [0.13]; p < 0.001)
When the total sample was analyzed by AS3MT genotype (AA, AG, GG), higher current geographic information system (GIS)-estimated groundwater arsenic exposure were found to differentially impact performance on tasks of cognitive functioning
Summary
The aim was to examine the link between low-level arsenic exposure and cognitive functioning, and the potential role of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP A35991G, rs10748835) of the AS3MT gene in modifying this link. Arsenic occurs in two different forms, inorganic and organic. In 2006, the acceptable level of arsenic in drinking water changed in the United States from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb. This was in part due to a response to the increase of research studies showing that 50 ppb of arsenic in drinking water caused cancer in one. Though the standard level of arsenic in drinking water in the United States has decreased considerably, there is evidence to suggest that even exposure at low concentrations has negative health consequences
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