Project 4: Early Exposure to Lead and Adult Antisocial Outcome
Investigator: M. Douglas Ris, PhD
Project Period: 10/1/2001 through 6/30/2006
Objectives / Hypothesis
Lead exposure and antisocial behavior are both major public health concerns. Recent research indicates that early exposure to environmental lead is associated with increased risk for delinquency. However, there is, as yet, no scientific evidence to indicate whether or not this increased risk extends into adulthood. There is no clear understanding of what neurobehavioral factors mediate the relationship between lead and antisocial behavior. We propose to assess the adult outcome of 280 participants in the Cincinnati Lead Study; a birth cohort whose development and exposure history have been exquisitely tracked for over 20 years.
We hypothesize that:
- There will be a significant relationship between pre-and post-natal lead levels and criminal activities measured by official criminal record and self-report.
- There will be a significant relationship between pre- and post-natal lead levels and diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder.
- There will be a significant relationship between pre- and post-natal lead levels and diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Approach
Outcome will be measured in three ways to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness. First, to assess criminal activities, official records will be accessed through county agencies and the National Crime Information Center. Second, to diagnose antisocial personality disorder and substance use disorder, a structured psychiatric interview will be performed. Third, self report measures will be used, including the self-report of delinquent behavior to measure various law and norm violating behaviors. Neuropsychological measurements undertaken on the sample in late adolescence will be used to explore neurobehavioral mediating factors. Self-regulatory / executive abilities and academic skills are at risk in both the delinquent and lead exposed youth, leading us to propose these as critical mediational pathways.
Expected Results
A better understanding of the remote behavioral effects of early lead exposure will allow us to develop primary prevention methods (both environmental and cognitive / educational) that will alter the developmental trajectories of large numbers of lead-exposed youths.
