Manganese Health Research Program: Phase 2, Core 16

Project Objectives:

• To recruit 100 young men and 100 young women, 18-21 years of age, with a range of exposure to manganese (Mn) in their drinking water supply, who will be interviewed and evaluated in our existing medical field clinic in Araihazar, Bangladesh.
• To maximize statistical power, participants will be recruited such that half consume water < 300 ug/L and half consume water > 300 ug/L. 
• A validated dietary survey questionnaire will be conducted to provide an estimate of dietary Mn intake.
• We will evaluate motor function in each participant, using the Bruininks Oseretsky Test, 2nd edition (2).
• Multiple regression models will examine the relationship between oral intake of Mn from water and diet and motor functioning.

Project Description:

The neurotoxicity of Mn in adults with occupational inhalation exposure is well established. The syndrome known as “manganism” is characterized by a Parkinson-like condition with weakness, anorexia, apathy, slowed speech, emotionless facial expression, and slow movement of the limbs.  Many issues remain to be determined however, including dose-response relationships, the contribution from non-inhalation sources of Mn exposure, and the impact of nutritional status – particularly iron – on susceptibility to neurologic disease. We propose here to expand an ongoing study in Bangladesh, investigating the consequences of water-borne Mn exposure on motor functioning in young children, 7-9 years of age, to include young adults, 18-21 years of age, i.e., an age group that is representative of young U.S. military personnel.  To do this, we will use a well-standardized, individually-administered test of motor function that is normed for children, adolescents and young adults from 4- 21 years of age, i.e., the Bruininks Oseretsky Test, 2nd Edition.

Project Status:

Last updated: January 31, 2006