# Internalizing Behaviors and Neuroimaging Outcomes:  Impact of PBDE and PFC Exposures

> **NIH NIH R01** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2020 · $545,969

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Human exposure to environmental contaminants is ubiquitous, and there is growing concern that exposure to
some may be linked with the rise in neurobehavioral problems in children. Given the lack of conclusive
evidence for many environmental toxicants, there is a critical need for well-designed longitudinal studies of
prenatal and postnatal exposure with long-term follow-up to address focused questions about the impact of
these chemicals, especially on neurobehavioral endpoints. We will study two chemical classes to which nearly
all of the US population are exposed, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and perfluorinated chemicals
(PFCs), that have been used as flame retardants and surfactants, respectively. Among an established cohort
of typically developing pre-adolescent children within the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment
(HOME) Study, we will determine associations between prenatal and childhood exposure to these persistent
pollutants and internalizing behaviors including anxiety, depression and social impairment. We will also obtain
neuroimaging outcomes to examine associations with exposure. The HOME Study enrolled women during
pregnancy and has thus far followed offspring until age 8y. We will extend follow-up to include a study visit at
11-12y to study associations in the pre-adolescent period. Prenatal exposures were measured using maternal
pregnancy and newborn specimens with multiple childhood samples currently being analyzed. Over 97% of
participating women had detectable levels of PBDEs and PFCs during pregnancy; comparable with nationally
reported levels. We hypothesize that exposures to these chemicals subtly alter the brain to produce
neurobehavioral deficits that will be evident in increased internalizing symptoms and adverse changes in
anatomical structure, neurochemistry, organization of white matter tracts, and connectivity of neural networks.
Aim 1: To determine the impact of prenatal and childhood exposures to PBDEs and PFCs on internalizing
symptoms in a longitudinal birth cohort of 11-12 year old children.
Aim 2: To determine the impact of prenatal and childhood exposures to PBDEs on brain structure,
organization, and function in a longitudinal birth cohort of 11-12 year old children.
Exploratory aim (EA): To determine the impact of prenatal and childhood exposures to PFCs on brain
structure, organization, and function in a longitudinal birth cohort of 11-12 year old children.
Aim 3: To determine the potential mediational impact of brain structure, organization and function in the
relationship between prenatal and childhood exposures to PBDEs and internalizing symptoms in a longitudinal
birth cohort of 11-12 year old children.
Aim 4: To identify appropriate statistical methodologies to determine the association of single and multiple
PBDE and PFC exposures with neurodevelopment across multiple developmental stages.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10015279
- **Project number:** 5R01ES027224-05
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Kim M Cecil
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $545,969
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-30 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10015279

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10015279, Internalizing Behaviors and Neuroimaging Outcomes:  Impact of PBDE and PFC Exposures (5R01ES027224-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-08-02 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10015279. Licensed CC0.

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