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The association of prenatal manganese exposure with problem-solving skills and its mediation by the building blocks of executive function
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9 2022
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Source: Neurotoxicology. 92:191-199
[PDF-162.66 KB]
Details:
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Alternative Title:Neurotoxicology
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Personal Author:
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Description:Background:
Problem-solving skills build upon three core executive functions: inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. There is evidence of adverse associations of prenatal exposure to manganese (Mn) with core executive functions, but less is known about Mn associations with problem-solving or potential mediators of this association.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the association of prenatal Mn exposure with problem-solving and to identify potential neuropsychological mechanisms through which this association may be mediated.
Methods:
Study participants were 410 adolescents from the New Bedford Cohort (NBC) who have undergone periodic evaluations since their birth (1993–1998) to mothers residing near a Massachusetts Superfund site. We investigated the association of cord blood Mn with problem-solving measured by the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) Sorting and Tower subtests (scores scaled to a mean ± SD of 10 ± 3) using multivariable linear regression. Inhibition and cognitive flexibility were also measured by the D-KEFS; working memory was measured with the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, 2nd edition. Regression-based causal mediation analysis was used to assess the proportion of the Mn-problem-solving association mediated by inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility individually and jointly.
Results:
NBC adolescents (mean age 15.5 years) were socio-demographically diverse with 31% in a low-income household at birth and had cord blood Mn concentrations similar to other general population samples. Mn was associated with Sorting but not Tower scores. Specifically, a doubling of cord blood Mn concentrations was associated with −0.59 points lower (95% CI: −1.16, −0.03) Sort Recognition score. In mediation analyses, there was suggestive evidence that inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility combined mediated 30% of the total effect of Mn on Sorting. When analyzed individually, working memory mediated a larger proportion (24%) of the effect than inhibition or cognitive flexibility.
Discussion:
We observed adverse associations of cord blood Mn with problem-solving among adolescents. There was suggestive evidence that the building blocks of executive function jointly, and working memory individually, were potentially important mediators of this association.
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Source:
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Pubmed ID:35995271
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC10712564
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Funding:
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Volume:92
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