Pediatric Manganese Exposure and Neurocognition in Eastern Ohio

Abstract

Manganese (Mn) is both an essential element and neurotoxicant. Two communities in eastern Ohio have the two of the highest ambient Mn concentrations in the nation. Our goal is to address the communities' primary research question: “Does Mn affect cognitive development of children?” Children ages 7-9 were enrolled in the Communities Actively Researching Exposure Study (CARES) from Marietta, Cambridge, and East Liverpool, Ohio. CARES has been conducted using community-based participatory research principles. We conducted neurocognitive assessment (child IQ). Blood was analyzed for Mn and lead (Pb); hair were analyzed for Mn, and serum was analyzed for cotinine, a measure of second hand tobacco smoke. We used penalized splines to assess potential non-linear associations between biological measures and child IQ scores, followed by multivariable regression models with categorical variables based on quartiles of the distribution for biological measures. Both low and high Mn concentrations in blood and hair were negatively associated with child IQ scores. There was a negative association between hair Mn and child IQ in East Liverpool children. Serum cotinine was also negatively associated with child cognitive function. Community engagement has enhanced the research process and the translation of study findings for these communities.