Associations of Acetylcholinesterase Activity with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Adolescents Growing Up Near Pesticide Spray Sites

Details

• Personal Author:
  Gahagan S ; Gunnar MR ; Hood N ; López-Paredes D ; Suarez-Lopez JR ; Suárez-Torres J
• Description:
  Background: The cholinergic system has an important role in mood regulation. Cholinesterase inhibitor pesticides (e.g. organophosphates) appear to increase depression and anxiety symptoms in the few existing animal and human studies. Human studies have not described such associations using biomarkers of exposure and studies among children are needed. Methods: We studied 529 adolescents (ages 11-17y) in agricultural communities in the Ecuadorian Andes (ESPINA study). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured in a finger-stick sample. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the CDI-2 and MASC-2 (greater scores reflect greater internalizing symptoms). Models adjusted for age, gender, hemoglobin, income among others. Results: The median age was 14.38y and 51% were female. The mean (SD) of the following parameters were: AChE 3.7 U/mL (0.55), depression T-score 53.0 (9.4) and anxiety T-score: 57.6 (9.8). Lower AChE activity (reflecting greater cholinesterase inhibitor exposure) was associated with higher depression symptoms (difference per SD decrease of AChE [B [95% CI:]]: 1.09 [0.02, 2.16]), was stronger among girls (B = 1.61) than boys (B = 0.69), and among younger (<14.38y, B = 1.61) vs. older children (B = 0.57). The associations were strongest among girls <14.38y (B = 3.30 [0.54, 6.05], OR for elevated symptoms per SD decrease in AChE = 2.58 [1.26, 5.27]). No associations were observed with anxiety scores. Analyses of AChE change between 2008 and 2016 concurred with these findings. Discussion: We observed associations between a biomarker of pesticide exposure and children's depression symptoms. Lower AChE activity may create risk for depression in teenagers, particularly among girls during early adolescence. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Agriculture Biomarkers Insecticides Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Organophosphates Safety Sex Characteristics
• Keywords:
  Adolescents Anxiety Author Keywords: Depression Ecuador Mental Health Organophosphorus Pesticides Pesticides Pesticides And Agricultural Chemicals Psychological Effects Sex Factors
• ISSN:
  1438-4639
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Minnesota ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  222
• Issue:
  7
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056748
• Citation:
  Int J Hyg Environ Health 2019 Aug; 222(7):981-990
• Contact Point Address:
  Jose R. Suarez-Lopez, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
• Email:
  jrsuarez@ucsd.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20070930
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
• End Date:
  20090531
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:637ef7d1faff5604a015e59be293cf881fbd3752c7e5a4e927a737dcac1f7c9c82913d764a6ba774c9e6efc80c30ce0b286b1d12fa8022fddcb75e1339fc678f
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214295/cdc_214295_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.23 MB ]