# Evaluating neurodegenerative risk in middle-aged adults exposed to lead as children

> **NIH NIH F31** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $36,660

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Millions of Americans now entering midlife and old age were exposed to high levels of lead, a neurotoxin, as
children. Evidence from animal and observational studies suggest that children exposed to lead may be at
elevated risk for dementia in old age. More evidence is needed to characterize the nature of this risk. Such
information would inform future research on disease prevention and assist communities in preparing for high
disease burdens following lead-exposure events. The two studies proposed in this application will increase the
evidence base on the long-term neurological consequences of childhood lead exposure using neuroimaging,
genetic analysis, and advanced longitudinal statistical techniques. These studies will also help prepare the
applicant for a successful interdisciplinary career integrating the fields of environmental health, cognitive aging,
and observational epidemiology. The applicant's long-term career goal is to become a clinical
neuropsychologist and independent academic researcher who conducts public health-oriented research on the
degenerative consequences of environmental exposures. The proposed project integrates training and
research plans to develop the applicant's expertise in these areas, with fellowship funds allowing for mentored
training in (1) the application of neuroimaging to environmental health research, (2) the assessment of
cognitive health and environmental exposures, (3) the application of quantitative analysis to longitudinal and
behavioral genetic studies, and (4) the ethical conduct of research in observational studies. The training plan
includes coursework and workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and participation in seminars and conferences.
While ambitious, the planned studies and training plan are feasible because they will utilize existing data
gathered in a population-representative longitudinal birth cohort, the Dunedin Study, which lead-tested 565
Study members in childhood (56% of living cohort) who are now in late midlife. This sub-cohort offers a globally
unique opportunity to evaluate the long-term consequences of childhood lead exposure because, unlike with
most lead-tested cohorts around the world, lead exposure was shared equally across socioeconomic groups in
the Dunedin cohort. Study 1 will involve secondary analysis of existing neuroimaging data to determine
whether childhood lead exposure relates to degenerative alterations in neural structure (Aim 1) or function (Aim
2) by late midlife. Study 2 will involve secondary analysis of existing genetic data to determine whether
neurocognitive sequelae of childhood lead exposure are moderated by polymorphisms in genes suspected to
alter the toxicodynamics of lead (Aim 3). These projects will build the evidence base on the neurodegenerative
risk facing the millions of Americans who were exposed to lead in childhood, informing future research on
disease prevention and future policy on community lead-exposure response....

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9989616
- **Project number:** 5F31ES029358-03
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Aaron Reuben
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $36,660
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9989616

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9989616, Evaluating neurodegenerative risk in middle-aged adults exposed to lead as children (5F31ES029358-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9989616. Licensed CC0.

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