Abstract

We did a clinical trial of succimer to treat moderately lead poisoned children. We found no effect of succimer treatment on cognition or behavior, reported previously. Recently, we have arranged with CDC to analyze blood samples collected in this project for methyl mercury, inorganic mercury, and cadmium, which allowed a randomized trial of succimer for chelation of these compounds without enrolling any new subjects or collecting any specimens. Succimer does not appear to be an efficacious chelating agent for mercury or cadmium. Neither mercury nor cadmium, measured at age 2 years, is associated with cognitive or behavioral test scores, and cadmium is not associated with blood pressure. Mercury at 7 years is associated with a small increase in the child's IQ, probably because the source of the mercury is dietary fish, and fish contains polyunsaturated fatty acids that are used in brain development. We are investigating whether we can analyze the samples for fatty acids and disentangle these effects.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Investigator-Initiated Intramural Research Projects (ZIA)
Project #
1ZIAES043011-17
Application #
8336538
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$273,026
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
Zip Code

  Publications

Wang, Yan; Rogan, Walter J; Chen, Hsin-Yi et al. (2015) Prenatal exposure to perfluroalkyl substances and children's IQ: The Taiwan maternal and infant cohort study. Int J Hyg Environ Health 218:639-44
Liu, Jianghong; Liu, Xianchen; Wang, Wei et al. (2014) Blood lead concentrations and children's behavioral and emotional problems: a cohort study. JAMA Pediatr 168:737-45
Wang, Yan; Chen, Aimin; Dietrich, Kim N et al. (2014) Postnatal exposure to methyl mercury and neuropsychological development in 7-year-old urban inner-city children exposed to lead in the United States. Child Neuropsychol 20:527-38
Cao, Yang; Chen, Aimin; Bottai, Matteo et al. (2013) The impact of succimer chelation on blood cadmium in children with background exposures: a randomized trial. J Pediatr 163:598-600
Cao, Yang; Chen, Aimin; Jones, Robert L et al. (2011) Efficacy of succimer chelation of mercury at background exposures in toddlers: a randomized trial. J Pediatr 158:480-485.e1
Cao, Yang; Chen, Aimin; Jones, Robert L et al. (2010) Does background postnatal methyl mercury exposure in toddlers affect cognition and behavior? Neurotoxicology 31:1-9
Rogan, Walter J; Brady, Michael T; Committee on Environmental Health et al. (2009) Drinking water from private wells and risks to children. Pediatrics 123:e1123-37
Cao, Yang; Chen, Aimin; Radcliffe, Jerilynn et al. (2009) Postnatal cadmium exposure, neurodevelopment, and blood pressure in children at 2, 5, and 7 years of age. Environ Health Perspect 117:1580-6
Committee on Environmental Health; Committee on Infectious Diseases; Rogan, Walter J et al. (2009) Drinking water from private wells and risks to children. Pediatrics 123:1599-605