Objective i) Identification of population groups at risk of neurotoxic effects due to methylmercury exposures.ii) Development and validation of evoked potentials from the brain as an early and potentially reversible indicator of neurotoxicity in children exposed to environmental pollutants;iii) Evaluation of the possible relationship between prenatal exposure to methylmercury and early neurbehavioural dysfunctions as indicated by evoked potentials and other parameters.Methylmercury from marine food items may constitute a risk for neurotoxic effects, especially when the diet of pregnant women causes exposure of the foetus. In certain populations that mainly rely on seafood, methylmercury exposures may be substantial.A dietary questionnaire and interview study will be carried out in at least two island communities, i.e. the Tyrrhenian area, the Azores, Madeira, and/or the Canary Islands. Subsequently, marine biota that constitute a significant part of human diet, will be sampled for mercury analysis. Detailed community studies will be carried out to determine the methylmercury burden, especially in pregnant women (or women of child-bearing age) and small children.Clinical studies will then be undertaken to determine the possible presence of neurotoxic effects related to methylmercury exposures. In the Faroe Islands, a cohort of children followed since birth will be examined at age 6-7 years. In Thule, Greenland, a small group of Inuit children will be examined to provide information on the effects of very high exposures and the possible genetic differences in susceptibility. A larger group of Italian children representing different exposure levels in the Tyrrhenian area will also be examined.In the clinical studies, the exposures of each child will be evaluated in detail. In addition to interview data on past medical history and current developmental status, the following methods will be used:i) Neuropaediatric examination.ii) Neuropsychological examination of mental development.iii) Evoked potentials from the brain, including both visual and auditory-brain stem.iv) Neurophysiological and sensory tests.In particular, evoked potentials may represent an indicator of early, but reversible effects on the nervous system. The sensitivity of the evoked potentials will be evaluated on the basis of their relation to methylmercury exposures. The validity will be assessed by comparison with the results of the other tests conducted.There is also strong collaboration with research groups in the USA and Japan. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologyhumanitieshistory and archaeologyhistorynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition Programme(s) FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994 Topic(s) 040203 - Environment and human health Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Odense Universitet EU contribution No data Address 17,Winsloewparken 5000 Odense C Denmark See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY OF AARHUS Denmark EU contribution No data Address 180,Vennelyst Boulevard, 6 8000 AARHUS C See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK - UNIVERSITY OF ODENSE Denmark EU contribution No data Address 55,Campusvej 55 5230 ODENSE See on map Total cost No data Università degli Studi di Siena Italy EU contribution No data Address Via P. A. Mattioli 4 53100 Siena See on map Total cost No data
