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Impairment in Working Memory and Executive Function Associated with Mercury Exposure in Indigenous Populations in Upper Amazonian Peru

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  • Alycia K. Silman

    (Department of Psychology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
    Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA)

  • Raveena Chhabria

    (Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

  • George W. Hafzalla

    (Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

  • Leahanne Giffin

    (Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

  • Kimberly Kucharski

    (Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

  • Katherine Myers

    (Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

  • Carlos Culquichicón

    (Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), San Martin de Porres 15102, Peru)

  • Stephanie Montero

    (Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), San Martin de Porres 15102, Peru)

  • Andres G. Lescano

    (Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), San Martin de Porres 15102, Peru)

  • Claudia M. Vega

    (Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru)

  • Luis E. Fernandez

    (Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
    Centro de Innovación Científica Amazónica, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru
    Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA
    Carnegie Amazon Mercury Project, Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, 260 Panama Street, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Miles R. Silman

    (Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
    Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27109, USA)

  • Michael J. Kane

    (Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA)

  • John W. Sanders

    (Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

Abstract

The Matsigenka people living traditional lifestyles in remote areas of the Amazon rely on a fish-based diet that exposes them to methylmercury (MeHg) at levels that have been associated with decreased IQ scores. In this study, the association between Hg levels and working memory was explored using the framework of the Multicomponent Model. Working memory tasks were modified to fit the culture and language of the Matsigenka when needed and included measures for verbal storage (Word Span) visuospatial storage (Corsi Block Task) and a measure of executive functions, the Self-Ordered Pointing Task (SOPT). An innovation of the Trail Making Tests A & B (TMT A & B) was pilot tested as another potential measure of executive functions. The mean hair Hg levels of 30 participants, ages 12 to 55 years, from three different communities (Maizal, Cacaotal and Yomibato) was 7.0 ppm (sd = 2.40), well above the World Health Organization (WHO) limit for hair of 2.0 ppm and ranged from 1.8 to 14.2 ppm, with 98% of a broader sample of 152 individuals exceeding the WHO limit. Hair Hg levels showed significant associations with cognitive performance, but the degree varied in magnitude according to the type of task. Hg levels were negatively associated with executive functioning performance (SOPT errors), while Hg levels and years of education predicted visuospatial performance (Corsi Block accuracy). Education was the only predictor of Word Span accuracy. The results show that Hg exposure is negatively associated with working memory performance when there is an increased reliance on executive functioning. Based on our findings and the review of the experimental research, we suggest that the SOPT and the Corsi Block have the potential to be alternatives to general intelligence tests when studying remote groups with extensive cultural differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Alycia K. Silman & Raveena Chhabria & George W. Hafzalla & Leahanne Giffin & Kimberly Kucharski & Katherine Myers & Carlos Culquichicón & Stephanie Montero & Andres G. Lescano & Claudia M. Vega & Luis, 2022. "Impairment in Working Memory and Executive Function Associated with Mercury Exposure in Indigenous Populations in Upper Amazonian Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-25, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10989-:d:905243
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aubrey L. Langeland & Rebecca D. Hardin & Richard L. Neitzel, 2017. "Mercury Levels in Human Hair and Farmed Fish near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin, Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Sandra de Souza Hacon & Marcelo Oliveira-da-Costa & Cecile de Souza Gama & Renata Ferreira & Paulo Cesar Basta & Ana Schramm & Decio Yokota, 2020. "Mercury Exposure through Fish Consumption in Traditional Communities in the Brazilian Northern Amazon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Kenny S. Grump & Tord Kjellström & Annette M. Shipp & Abraham Silvers & Alistair Stewart, 1998. "Influence of Prenatal Mercury Exposure Upon Scholastic and Psychologica Test Performance: Benchmark Analysis of a New Zealand Cohort," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(6), pages 701-713, December.
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