# Evaluation of the timing and duration of low level dimethylarsinic acid exposure to its fate, metabolism, and development of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative biomarkers

> **NIH NIH R03** · TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $73,406

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Recent epidemiological studies have highlighted that chronic exposure to Arsenic (As) is associated with
neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases (collectively, NDs) in humans. The primary
route of As exposure in humans is via the diet: food and drinking water. While the toxicological risks of exposure
to As from drinking water have been well studied, little is known about the toxicological risk of chronic exposure
to As from food sources. Addressing this data gap is critical considering that 93% of As exposure occurs via the
ingestion of food. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that chronic exposure to As can affect cognitive-
behavioral development—an understudied, yet significant, health- and economic- consequence. Dimethylarsinic
acid (DMA(V)) is an As species that is prevalent in foods as well as a primary metabolite of inorganic As
metabolism (inorganic As is also present in foods). In vitro DMA(V) exposure studies highlight cellular oxidative
stress and inflammation consequences, which are shared with NDs. The timing and duration of chronic exposure
to DMA(V), in relation to sensitive periods of development associated with NDs, have not been studied in vivo.
To address this critical knowledge gap, we will conduct a mouse study to evaluate the relationship between
chronic low-level exposure to DMA(V) and its fate, metabolism, and development of ND-related biomarkers. This
evaluation will provide new data on the potential for neurotoxicity of DMA(V). To further investigate mechanisms
of neurotoxicity, we will also determine the bioaccumulation of DMA(V) in whole brain, specific brain regions,
kidneys and liver, as well as identify metabolites of DMA(V). Completion of this study will provide significant new
knowledge about the role of organic As species, in general, and DMA(V), in particular, in human health and
neurodegenerative diseases, with potential consequences for the development of public health regulations in
order to mitigate health consequences.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10432838
- **Project number:** 1R03ES034194-01
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jeremy Davidson Bailoo
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $73,406
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-03-17 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10432838

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10432838, Evaluation of the timing and duration of low level dimethylarsinic acid exposure to its fate, metabolism, and development of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative biomarkers (1R03ES034194-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-03 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10432838. Licensed CC0.

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