Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.  2020 May;18(2):261-269. 10.9758/cpn.2020.18.2.261.

Associations between Exposure to Bisphenol A and Behavioral and Cognitive Function in Children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case-control Study

Affiliations
  • 1Environmental Health Center, Dankook University Medical Center
  • 2Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine
  • 3Department of Psychiatry, Dankook University Hospital
  • 4Department of Psychology, College of Public Human Resources, Dankook University
  • 5Department of Psychiatry, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea

Abstract


Objective
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely produced synthetic chemical used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to BPA and behavioral and cognitive function in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls.
Methods
The study included 444 children aged from 6 to 10 years. The ADHD and control groups included 195 and 249 children, respectively. BPA levels were assessed via urinalysis, while behavior was assessed using the Korean version of the ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2). Cognitive function was assessed using the Continuous Performance Test (i.e., ADHD Diagnostic System [ADS]). Participants were categorized into tertile groups based on urinary BPA concentration.
Results
Scores on the K-ARS and the hyperactivity, aggression, anxiety, and depression subscales of the BASC-2 were significantly different among tertile groups for urinary BPA levels. Scores on visual omission error, commission error, response time variability, and auditory commission error of the ADS were significantly different among three BPA groups. Subgroup analysis revealed that these differences of behavior and cognition among three BPA groups were observed in only boys and normal controls.
Conclusion
Exposure to BPA was associated with unfavorable behavioral and cognitive outcomes. Our study extends the findings of previous studies regarding the association between BPA exposure and behavior/cognitive function by including children with ADHD. Further studies are required to determine the mechanisms underlying sex- and group-based differences in these associations.

Keyword

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder; Bisphenol A; Child behavior; Attention; Toxic environmental substances
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