Baton Rouge news: Flame retardant exposure may increase childhood anxiety
A Baton Rouge, Louisiana television station recently highlighted research led by the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center that sheds light on the connection between exposure to environmental toxins in utero and the later development of anxiety during adolescence.
Lead author Jeffrey Strawn, MD, professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience in UC’s College of Medicine and a UC Health child and adolescent psychiatrist, and his colleagues published the study in the journal Depression & Anxiety.
The study focused on a class of chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that were used as flame retardants for products like furniture foam padding, insulation, rugs, upholstery, computers and appliances. The researchers used data from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) study, which enrolled 468 pregnant women in the Greater Cincinnati region from 2003-2006 and continued to follow up with their children up to 12 years later.
“It started roughly during the second trimester, and then, these children have been followed over time,” Strawn told news station WAFB. “Exposure during that period was associated with a small but a significant increase in anxiety."
The study found that each time the PBDE levels doubled in a pregnant mother’s blood sample was associated with increased anxiety scores in the adolescents, suggesting PBDE exposure during pregnancy may be a risk factor for developing anxiety symptoms in early adolescence.
Watch or read the WAFB report.
Featured photo at top of Dr. Strawn. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Marketing + Brand.
Related Stories
Enquirer: Experts discuss reasons for drop in overdose deaths
April 12, 2023
The University of Cincinnati's Christine Wilder, MD, spoke with the Cincinnati Enquirer about Hamilton County data that overdose deaths in 2022 dropped for the first time in six years.
U.S. News & World Report: Metformin may help young patients with bipolar disorder avoid weight gain
October 31, 2023
U.S. News & World Report highlighted recent research led by the University of Cincinnati and Northwell Health that found the drug metformin can help prevent or reduce weight gain in youth taking medication to treat bipolar disorder.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri news highlights UC clinical trial
February 20, 2024
KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, Missouri highlighted a University of Cincinnati clinical trial testing a wearable neurostimulation device to help patients with opioid use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder stick with medication treatment while finding the right dose.
Cannabis Man podcast highlights UC researcher
May 5, 2022
The University of Cincinnati's LaTrice Montgomery was a guest on the Cannabis Man podcast to discuss the current state of cannabis research.
WCPO: UC expert, former police sergeant touring country to help stop veteran suicides
October 25, 2023
The University of Cincinnati's Kate Chard and former Cincinnati Police Department sergeant Dave Corlett spoke with WCPO about their work to prevent veteran suicides through training tied to workplace stress and PTSD in law enforcement and the veteran community.
Study: Strawberry consumption may reduce dementia risk for middle-aged individuals
November 2, 2023
New research from the University of Cincinnati found that daily strawberry consumption could help reduce the risk of dementia for certain middle-aged populations.
Is ketamine the answer to treatment-resistant depression?
May 16, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Stephen Rush joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to discuss the use of ketamine and esketamine to treat treatment-resistant depression.
Reuters Health: Tablets tied to better use of VA mental health services
April 12, 2022
The University of Cincinnati's Kate Chard was featured in a Reuters Health article examining a study of video tablet telehealth mental health services for veterans.
New York Times: Can A.I.-driven voice analysis identify mental disorders?
April 6, 2022
The University of Cincinnati's Dr. Maria Espinola was featured in a New York Times article about the role of artificial intelligence in identifying mental disorders through the sound of a patient's voice.
LifeHacker: How to parent an empath
May 10, 2022
The University of Cincinnati's Shana Feibel gave tips to LifeHacker on how to parent an empath, someone who feels other people's feelings as if they are their own.