Sex-specific associations between co-exposure to multiple metals and visuospatial learning in early adolescence

Abstract The predisposition, severity, and progression of many diseases differ between males and females. Sex-related differences in susceptibility to neurotoxicant exposures may provide insight into the cause of the observed discrepancy. Early adolescence, a period of substantial structural and functional brain changes, may present a critical window of vulnerability to environmental exposures. This study aimed to examine sex-specific associations between co-exposure to multiple metals and visuospatial memory in early adolescence. Manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) were measured in blood, urine, hair, nails, and saliva of 188 participants (88 girls; 10–14 years of age). Visuospatial memory skills were assessed using a computerized maze task, the virtual radial arm maze (VRAM). Using generalized weighted quantile sum regression, we investigated sex-specific associations between the combined effect of exposure to the metal mixture and visuospatial working memory and determined the contribution of each component to the outcome. The results suggest that sex moderates the association between the metal mixture and visuospatial learning for all outcomes measured. In girls, exposure was associated with slower visuospatial learning and driven by Mn and Cu. In boys, exposure was associated with faster visuospatial learning, and driven by Cr. These results suggest that (a) the effect of metal co-exposure on learning differs in magnitude, and in the direction between sexes, and (b) early adolescence may be a sensitive developmental period for metal exposure.

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Sex differences and developmental stability in genetic and environmental influences on psychoactive substance consumption from early adolescence to young adulthood

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329171000259x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 41 (9) ◽

pp. 1907-1916 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

J. H. Baker ◽

H. H. Maes ◽

H. Larsson ◽

P. Lichtenstein ◽

K. S. Kendler

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Young Adulthood ◽

Early Adolescence ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Common Factor ◽

Environmental Influences ◽

Genetic Effects ◽

Shared Environment ◽

Males And Females ◽

Substance Consumption

BackgroundGenetic and environmental factors are important in the etiology of substance use. However, little is known about the stability of these factors across development. We aimed to answer three crucial questions about this etiology that have never been addressed in a single study: (1) Is there a general vulnerability to substance consumption from early adolescence to young adulthood? (2) If so, do the genetic and environmental influences on this vulnerability change across development? (3) Do these developmental processes differ in males and females?MethodSubjects included 1480 twin pairs from the Swedish Twin Study of Child and Adolescent Development who have been followed since 1994. Prospective, self-reported regular smoking, alcohol intoxication and illicit drug use were assessed at ages 13–14, 16–17 and 19–20 years. Structural modeling was performed with the program Mx.ResultsAn underlying common factor accounted for the association between smoking, alcohol and illicit drug consumption for the three age groups. Common genetic and shared environmental effects showed substantial continuity. In general, as participants aged, the influence of the shared environment decreased, and genetic effects became more substance specific in their effect.ConclusionsThe current report answers three important questions in the etiology of substance use. The genetic and environmental risk for substance consumption is partly mediated through a common factor and is partly substance specific. Developmentally, evidence was strongest for stability of common genetic effects, with less evidence for genetic innovation. These processes seem to be the same in males and females.

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Changes in health risk behaviors for males and females from early adolescence through early adulthood.

Health Psychology ◽

10.1037/a0031658 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 685-694 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

James R. Mahalik ◽

Rebekah Levine Coley ◽

Caitlin McPherran Lombardi ◽

Alicia Doyle Lynch ◽

Anna J. Markowitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Early Adolescence ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Health Risk Behaviors ◽

Males And Females

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Temperature Effects During a Sublethal Chronic Metal Mixture Exposure on Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.651584 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Giovanni Castaldo ◽

Marion Pillet ◽

Leen Ameryckx ◽

Lieven Bervoets ◽

Raewyn M. Town ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Common Carp ◽

Metal Ion ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Mixture Toxicity ◽

Ion Uptake ◽

Metal Exposure ◽

Hepatosomatic Index ◽

Metal Mixture ◽

Metal Levels ◽

Cu And Zn

The aquatic environment is the final sink of various pollutants including metals, which can pose a threat for aquatic organisms. Waterborne metal mixture toxicity might be influenced by environmental parameters such as the temperature. In the present study, common carp were exposed for 27 days to a ternary metal mixture of Cu, Zn, and Cd at two different temperatures, 10 and 20°C. The exposure concentrations represent 10% of the 96 h-LC50 (concentration lethal for the 50% of the population in 96 h) for each metal (nominal metal concentrations of Cu: 0.08 μM; Cd: 0.02 μM and Zn: 3 μM). Metal bioaccumulation and toxicity as well as changes in the gene expression of enzymes responsible for ionoregulation and induction of defensive responses were investigated. Furthermore the hepatosomatic index and condition factor were measured as crude indication of overall health and energy reserves. The obtained results showed a rapid Cu and Cd increase in the gills at both temperatures. Cadmium accumulation was higher at 20°C compared to 10°C, whereas Cu and Zn accumulation was not, suggesting that at 20°C, fish had more efficient depuration processes for Cu and Zn. Electrolyte (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) levels were analyzed in different tissues (gills, liver, brain, muscle) and in the remaining carcasses. However, no major electrolyte losses were observed. The toxic effect of the trace metal ion mixture on major ion uptake mechanisms may have been compensated by ion uptake from the food. Finally, the metal exposure triggered the upregulation of the metallothionein gene in the gills as defensive response for the organism. These results, show the ability of common carp to cope with these metal levels, at least under the condition used in this experiment.

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Metformin reverses early cortical network dysfunction and behavior changes in Huntington’s disease

eLife ◽

10.7554/elife.38744 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Isabelle Arnoux ◽

Michael Willam ◽

Nadine Griesche ◽

Jennifer Krummeich ◽

Hirofumi Watari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Huntington's Disease ◽

Huntington’S Disease ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Disease Onset ◽

Network Activity ◽

Critical Window ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Window Of Vulnerability

Catching primal functional changes in early, ‘very far from disease onset’ (VFDO) stages of Huntington’s disease is likely to be the key to a successful therapy. Focusing on VFDO stages, we assessed neuronal microcircuits in premanifest Hdh150 knock-in mice. Employing in vivo two-photon Ca2+ imaging, we revealed an early pattern of circuit dysregulation in the visual cortex - one of the first regions affected in premanifest Huntington’s disease - characterized by an increase in activity, an enhanced synchronicity and hyperactive neurons. These findings are accompanied by aberrations in animal behavior. We furthermore show that the antidiabetic drug metformin diminishes aberrant Huntingtin protein load and fully restores both early network activity patterns and behavioral aberrations. This network-centered approach reveals a critical window of vulnerability far before clinical manifestation and establishes metformin as a promising candidate for a chronic therapy starting early in premanifest Huntington’s disease pathogenesis long before the onset of clinical symptoms.

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Identifying a critical window of maternal metal exposure for maternal and neonatal thyroid function in China: A cohort study

Environment International ◽

10.1016/j.envint.2020.105696 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 139 ◽

pp. 105696

Author(s):

Xu Wang ◽

Xian Sun ◽

Yuqing Zhang ◽

Minjian Chen ◽

Gro Dehli Villanger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Thyroid Function ◽

Metal Exposure ◽

Critical Window ◽

Neonatal Thyroid Function

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A Preliminary Study of Functional Brain Activation among Marijuana Users during Performance of a Virtual Water Maze Task

Journal of Addiction ◽

10.1155/2013/461029 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Jennifer Tropp Sneider ◽

Staci A. Gruber ◽

Jadwiga Rogowska ◽

Marisa M. Silveri ◽

Deborah A. Yurgelun-Todd

Keyword(s):

Motor Control ◽

Memory Retrieval ◽

Water Maze ◽

Cannabinoid Receptors ◽

Brain Activation ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Visuospatial Memory ◽

Maze Task ◽

Water Maze Task ◽

Morris Water Maze Task

Numerous studies have reported neurocognitive impairments associated with chronic marijuana use. Given that the hippocampus contains a high density of cannabinoid receptors, hippocampal-mediated cognitive functions, including visuospatial memory, may have increased vulnerability to chronic marijuana use. Thus, the current study examined brain activation during the performance of a virtual analogue of the classic Morris water maze task in 10 chronic marijuana (MJ) users compared to 18 nonusing (NU) comparison subjects. Imaging data were acquired using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI at 3.0 Tesla during retrieval (hidden platform) and motor control (visible platform) conditions. While task performance on learning trials was similar between groups, MJ users demonstrated a deficit in memory retrieval. For BOLD fMRI data, NU subjects exhibited greater activation in the right parahippocampal gyrus and cingulate gyrus compared to the MJ group for the Retrieval-Motor Control contrast (NU > MJ). These findings suggest that hypoactivation in MJ users may be due to differences in the efficient utilization of neuronal resources during the retrieval of memory. Given the paucity of data on visuospatial memory function in MJ users, these findings may help elucidate the neurobiological effects of marijuana on brain activation during memory retrieval.

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Sex differences in ADHD trajectories across childhood and adolescence

10.31219/osf.io/gf2me ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aja Louise Murray ◽

Tom Booth ◽

Manuel Eisner ◽

Bonnie Auyeung ◽

George Murray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Secondary School ◽

Early Adolescence ◽

Age Of Onset ◽

Developmental Trajectories ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Mixture Modelling ◽

Growth Mixture ◽

Growth Mixture Modelling ◽

Males And Females

Background: Previous studies have hinted at sex differences in developmental trajectories in ADHD symptoms; however, little is known about the nature or cause of these differences and their implications for clinical practice.Method: We used growth mixture modelling in a community-ascertained cohort of n=1571 participants to study sex differences in ADHD symptom developmental trajectories across the elementary and secondary school years. Participants were measured at ages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15.Results: We found that females were more likely to show large symptom increases in early adolescence while males were more likely to show elevated symptoms from childhood. For both males and females, early adolescence represented a period of vulnerability characterised by relatively sudden symptom increases. Conclusions: Females affected by hyperactivity/impulsivity may be more likely to be excluded from diagnosis due to current age of onset criteria. More attention should be paid to early adolescence as a period of risk for hyperactivity/impulsivity symptom onset or worsening.

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The Forgotten Tract of Vision in Multiple Sclerosis: Vertical Occipital Fasciculus, Its Integrity, and Visuospatial Memory

10.1101/2021.01.25.21250430 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

AmirHussein Abdoalizadeh ◽

Soheil Mohammadi ◽

Mohammad Hadi Aarabi

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Common Disease ◽

Visuospatial Memory ◽

Disease Manifestation ◽

Delayed Recall ◽

Learning Impairments ◽

Disability Status ◽

Visuospatial Learning ◽

Relapsing Remitting ◽

Mri Scans

AbstractBackgroundVisual disturbances are a common disease manifestation and a major patient complaint in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) due to lesions damaging white matter tracts involved in vision. Vertical Occipital Fasciculus (VOF) connects ventral and dorsal visual streams and was neglected for more than a century. It has recently become under focus in brain-related disorders. Thus, its role in the visual dysfunction in MS needs to be clarified.ObjectiveEvaluate the integrity of bilateral VOFs in MS and its association with clinical and visual evaluations.Methods56 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 25 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. We acquired MS Functional Composite, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test – Revised (BVMT-R), and structural and diffusion MRI scans. After VOF tractography, its integrity markers were statistically tested for between-group differences and clinical and visual tests associations.ResultsRRMS patients had lower fiber integrity in bilateral VOFs compared to HC. Lower integrity of bilateral VOFs was associated with poor clinical outcomes, higher visual score in EDSS, and lower total immediate and delayed recall in BVMT-R.ConclusionVOF damage is seen in RRMS and is associated with visual symptoms and visuospatial learning impairments.

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The Kindness Scale

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1998.83.3f.1351 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 83 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 1351-1361 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anna Laura Comunian

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Development ◽

Construct Validity ◽

Moral Judgment ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Early Adolescence ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

High Internal Consistency ◽

Males And Females ◽

Test Retest Reliability ◽

Judgment Data

This study explored the development of the Kindness Scale of 25 items chosen to be related to four developmental stages. The construct of kindness was defined in terms of Kohlberg's developmental stages of moral judgment. Data were collected from 191 male and 216 female subjects 13 to 60 years of age. The scale evidenced acceptable test-retest reliability and internal consistency and construct-related validity. For example, there was acceptable construct validity with the hypothesized four stages and high internal consistency for responses to the subscale for each stage. There were differences in scores between males and females in early adolescence, which disappeared by late adolescence. The Kohlbergian stages were identified and assessed on the scale which allows study of affective cognitive development.

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Visuospatial Learning in Traumatic Brain Injury: An Examination of Impairments using the Computerised Austin Maze Task

Brain Impairment ◽

10.1017/brimp.2015.3 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 19-27

Author(s):

Cynthia A. Honan ◽

Skye McDonald ◽

Alana Fisher

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Digit Span ◽

Maze Task ◽

Neuropsychological Measures ◽

Learning Impairments ◽

Visuospatial Learning ◽

Convergent And Divergent Validity ◽

Severe Tbi ◽

Figure Test

An important aspect of cognitive functioning that is often impaired following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is visuospatial learning and memory. The Austin Maze task is a measure of visuospatial learning that has a long history in both clinical neuropsychological practice and research, particularly in individuals with TBI. The aim of this study was to evaluate visuospatial learning deficits following TBI using a new computerised version of the Austin Maze task. Twenty-eight individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI were compared to 28 healthy controls on this task, together with alternative neuropsychological measures, including the WAIS-III Digit Symbol and Digit Span subtests, the Trail Making Test, WMS-III Logical Memory, and Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. The results demonstrated that TBI individuals performed significantly more poorly on the Austin Maze task than control participants. The Austin Maze task also demonstrated good convergent and divergent validity with the alternative neuropsychological measures. Thus, the computerised version of the Austin Maze appears to be a sensitive measure that can detect visuospatial learning impairments in individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI. The new computerised version of the task offers much promise in that it is more accessible and easier to administer than the conventional form of the test.

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