Response inhibition and error monitoring during a visual go/no-go task in Inuit children exposed to lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, and methylmercury

Boucher, O; Burden, MJ; Muckle, G; Saint-Amour, D; Ayotte, P; Dewailly, É; Nelson, CA; Jacobson, SW; Jacobson, JL

HERO ID

938526

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

Language

English

PMID

22142904

HERO ID 938526
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Response inhibition and error monitoring during a visual go/no-go task in Inuit children exposed to lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, and methylmercury
Authors Boucher, O; Burden, MJ; Muckle, G; Saint-Amour, D; Ayotte, P; Dewailly, É; Nelson, CA; Jacobson, SW; Jacobson, JL
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 120
Issue 4
Page Numbers 608-615
Abstract Background: Lead (Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are neurotoxic contaminants that have been related to impairment in response inhibition. Objectives: This study examined the neurophysiological correlates of the response inhibition deficits associated with these exposures, using event-related potentials (ERP) in a sample of school-aged Inuit children from Arctic Québec exposed through their traditional diet. Methods: In a prospective longitudinal study, we assessed 196 children (mean age = 11.3 years) on a visual Go/No-go response inhibition paradigm. Pb, PCB, and mercury (Hg) concentrations were analysed in cord and current blood samples. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations of contaminant levels to Go/No-go performance (mean reaction time, % Correct Go, % Correct No-go) and five ERPs (N2, P3, ERN, Pe, and Pc) after control for confounding variables. Results: Current blood Pb concentrations were associated with higher rates of false alarms and with decreased P3 amplitudes to Go and No-go trials. Current plasma PCB 153 concentrations were associated with slower reaction times and with reduced amplitudes of the Pe and Pc response-related potentials. Hg concentrations were not related to any outcome on this task but showed significant interactions with other contaminants on certain outcomes. Conclusions: These results suggest that Pb exposure during childhood impairs the child's ability to allocate the cognitive resources needed to correctly inhibit a prepotent response, resulting in increased impulsivity. By contrast, postnatal PCB exposure appears to affect processes associated with error monitoring, an aspect of behavioural regulation required to adequately adapt to the changing demands of the environment, which results in reduced task efficiency.
Doi 10.1289/ehp.1103828
Pmid 22142904
Wosid WOS:000302476200035
Url https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84859342239&doi=10.1289%2fehp.1103828&partnerID=40&md5=32d1d58006dbe064dce8360786669e39
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Alternate WOS ID: BCI:BCI201200336926
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword event-related potentials; error monitoring; executive function; lead; methylmercury; neurotoxicity; polychlorinated biphenyls; response inhibition