Dziorny Adam C, Orlando Mark S, Strain J J, Davidson Philip W, Myers Gary J
Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
Neurotoxicology. 2013 Sep;38:147-57. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.10.002. Epub 2012 Oct 12.
Determining if associations exist between child neurodevelopment and environmental exposures, especially low level or background ones, is challenging and dependent upon being able to measure specific and sensitive endpoints. Psychometric or behavioral measures of CNS function have traditionally been used in such studies, but do have some limitations. Auditory neurophysiologic measures examine different nervous system structures and mechanisms, have fewer limitations, can more easily be quantified, and might be helpful additions to testing. To date, their use in human epidemiological studies has been limited. We reviewed the use of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) in studies designed to determine the relationship of exposures to methyl mercury (MeHg) and nutrients from fish consumption with neurological development. We included studies of experimental animals and humans in an effort to better understand the possible benefits and risks of fish consumption.
We reviewed the literature on the use of ABR and OAE to measure associations with environmental exposures that result from consuming a diet high in fish. We focused specifically on long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) and MeHg.
We performed a comprehensive review of relevant studies using web-based search tools and appropriate search terms.
Gestational exposure to both LCPUFA and MeHg has been reported to influence the developing auditory system. In experimental studies supplemental LCPUFA is reported to prolong ABR latencies and human studies also suggest an association. Experimental studies of acute and gestational MeHg exposure are reported to prolong ABR latencies and impair hair cell function. In humans, MeHg exposure is reported to prolong ABR latencies, but the impact on hair cell function is unknown.
The auditory system can provide objective measures and may be useful in studying exposures to nutrients and toxicants and whether they are associated with children's neurodevelopment.
确定儿童神经发育与环境暴露之间是否存在关联，尤其是低水平或背景暴露，具有挑战性，并且取决于能否测量特定且敏感的终点指标。中枢神经系统功能的心理测量或行为测量方法传统上已用于此类研究，但确实存在一些局限性。听觉神经生理学测量方法可检测不同的神经系统结构和机制，局限性较少，更易于量化，可能有助于补充测试。迄今为止，它们在人类流行病学研究中的应用有限。我们回顾了听觉脑干反应（ABR）和耳声发射（OAE）在旨在确定甲基汞（MeHg）暴露以及鱼类消费中的营养物质与神经发育关系的研究中的应用。我们纳入了实验动物和人类的研究，以更好地了解鱼类消费可能带来的益处和风险。
我们回顾了关于使用ABR和OAE来测量与食用富含鱼类的饮食所导致的环境暴露之间关联的文献。我们特别关注长链多不饱和脂肪酸（LCPUFA）和MeHg。
我们使用基于网络的搜索工具和适当的搜索词对相关研究进行了全面回顾。
据报道，孕期暴露于LCPUFA和MeHg均会影响发育中的听觉系统。在实验研究中，补充LCPUFA据报道会延长ABR潜伏期，人类研究也表明存在关联。据报道，急性和孕期MeHg暴露的实验研究可延长ABR潜伏期并损害毛细胞功能。在人类中，据报道MeHg暴露会延长ABR潜伏期，但对毛细胞功能的影响尚不清楚。
听觉系统可提供客观测量方法，可能有助于研究营养物质和有毒物质的暴露情况以及它们是否与儿童神经发育有关。
