Despite the fact that little is known about non-genetic causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), currently, few rigorous investigations of environmental factors in the etiology of this condition are underway. This proposal extends the epidemiology project initiated under the NIEHS-funded UC Davis Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCEH) known as """"""""MARBLES"""""""" (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies - Learning Early Signs). MARBLES has enrolled close to 200 pregnant women who already have a child with ASD and therefore are at high risk for delivering an infant who will also develop ASD. In this R01, we will recruit an additional 250 pregnant mothers and follow their pregnancy and their child. Through longitudinal collection of 1) extensive behavioral, medical, and exposure data, 2) biologic specimens from the mother and child, and 3) detailed psychometric assessments from birth to three years of age, MARBLES has created an infrastructure for addressing etiologic questions and searching for early pathophysiologic markers. The exposures of interest are two classes of compounds common in household products, and having known neuro- or neurodevelopmental toxicity: pyrethroid pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (flame retardants). First, we will assess associations of self-reported exposure, measurements of internal dose, and toxicologically-derived estimates of biologically effective dose, on the one hand, with risk for ASD or other impairments in neurobehavioral development on the other. Secondly, we will examine whether the exposure or dose estimates are associated with markers of aberrant immune responses or mitochondrial dysfunction and whether these markers predict clinically confirmed child developmental status at three years of age. Thus, this project begins with the macro-level associations typical of black-box epidemiology, refines the estimates of dose, and then explores more deeply into the mechanisms by which environmental exposures might alter neurodevelopment and lead to clinical outcomes. This integrated approach is made possible by an interdisciplinary team that brings together molecular and basic research, epidemiologic population-based approaches, and clinical sciences. If our hypotheses are supported, this will be the first evidence of higher autism risk based on prospective measurements of compounds in commonly used household products, and one of the first to identify modifiable risk factors. The results will thereby open the door to prevention at the individual behavioral and societal level, e.g., potentially through education, product labeling, and/or regulatory action. Results may also lead to targeted interventions to alter children's developmental trajectory. Overall, we expect this study to stimulate a paradigm shift in the field, towards a more multifactorial and mechanistically driven research agenda, with significantly more attention to environmental exposures and the development of inter-disciplinary approaches.

Public Health Relevance

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are of considerable public health importance, with current estimates suggesting that close to 1% of children will develop the condition. Not only is little known about their causes, but also the mechanisms are poorly understood. This study, known as MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies - Learning Early Signs), addresses both gaps and may illuminate potential ways to prevent this disorder from occurring. We propose to determine the role for two classes of common household chemical exposures, namely pyrethroid pesticides and brominated flame retardants, using an innovative design that maximizes the efficiency of the study. Additionally, MARBLES will explore the role of maternal immune dysregulation and of mitochondrial dysfunction in the newborn as markers of potential mechanisms leading to aberrant neurodevelopment. By addressing both the need to understand risk factors for ASDs beginning during gestation and the need to elucidate underlying mechanisms, MARBLES has the ability to move the field of autism forward to towards a more multifactorial and mechanistically driven research agenda. From this study, interventions at the individual behavioral or societal level may be suggested.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01ES020392-02
Application #
8323912
Study Section
Neurological, Aging and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology (NAME)
Program Officer
Lawler, Cindy P
Project Start
2011-08-24
Project End
2016-02-28
Budget Start
2012-04-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$1,815,424
Indirect Cost
$908,757
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047120084
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618
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Shin, Hyeong-Moo; Schmidt, Rebecca J; Tancredi, Daniel et al. (2018) Prenatal exposure to phthalates and autism spectrum disorder in the MARBLES study. Environ Health 17:85
Philippat, Claire; Barkoski, Jacqueline; Tancredi, Daniel J et al. (2018) Prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides and risk of autism spectrum disorders and other non-typical development at 3 years in a high-risk cohort. Int J Hyg Environ Health 221:548-555
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Schmidt, Rebecca J; Schroeder, Diane I; Crary-Dooley, Florence K et al. (2016) Self-reported pregnancy exposures and placental DNA methylation in the MARBLES prospective autism sibling study. Environ Epigenet 2:
Wong, Sarah; Giulivi, Cecilia (2016) Autism, Mitochondria and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Exposure. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 15:614-23
Schroeder, Diane I; Schmidt, Rebecca J; Crary-Dooley, Florence K et al. (2016) Placental methylome analysis from a prospective autism study. Mol Autism 7:51

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