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Epigenetics, air pollution, and childhood mental health

Award Number: R01ES031054
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2027

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Epigenetics, air pollution, and childhood mental health - Project Summary Anxiety and depression are among the most debilitating disorders worldwide and increase the risk for later-life adverse health outcomes including chronic anxiety and depression, substance abuse and suicide. Anxiety and depression are also the most common psychiatric disorders among adolescents with symptoms presenting as early as 4-5 years of age. Yet, we still have a poor understanding of the etiology of anxiety and depression in youth and the mechanisms involved. Air pollutants are widely recognized for their ability to affect the central nervous system and adversely impact neurodevelopment during childhood. The epigenome is particularly sensitive to environmental stimuli and studies targeting inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways have identified DNA methylation changes resulting with exposure to air pollutants. Oxidative stress and inflammation, however, are not the only pathways involved in air pollution neurotoxicity or the pathophysiology of mental health disorders. Thus, utilizing an epigenome- wide platform may help identify novel biomarkers of exposure and effect which may otherwise be overlooked with a targeted approach. The goal of this proposal is to determine whether exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) during childhood and adolescence impacts the epigenome and whether changes in DNA methylation can be used to identify children at increased risk for anxiety and depression. Using the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS) and Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) study birth cohort, we will: 1) conduct an unbiased epigenome-wide search for DNA methylation biomarkers associated with PM2.5 and TRAP exposure prenatally through age 12 years (n=500) and 2) identify unique and pollution-related DNA methylation signatures associated with anxiety and depression. In addition, we will replicate our findings in a third, independent birth cohort, Project Viva (n=652), with similar sociodemographic characteristics and available air pollution and neurodevelopmental outcome data. The study design, based on three well-established birth cohorts with nearly two decades of follow-up, will allow for longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of air pollution, DNA methylation, and mental health assessments all of which will increase the rigor and generalizability of our study.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	CINCINNATI UNIV OF	2600 CLIFTON AVE	CINCINNATI	OH	45220	HAMILTON	USA	Environmental Health	000	6	3/4/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $281,749 )
2025	2025	CINCINNATI UNIV OF	2600 CLIFTON AVE	CINCINNATI	OH	45220	HAMILTON	USA	Environmental Health	000	6	5/6/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$281,749
														Subtotal = $281,749

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $193,893 )
2024	2024	CINCINNATI UNIV OF	2600 CLIFTON AVE	CINCINNATI	OH	45220	HAMILTON	USA	Environmental Health	000	5	6/7/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$193,893
														Subtotal = $193,893

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $603,921 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI	2600 CLIFTON AVE	CINCINNATI	OH	45220	HAMILTON	USA	Environmental Health	000	4	4/27/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$603,921
														Subtotal = $603,921

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $613,335 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI	2600 CLIFTON AVE	CINCINNATI	OH	45220	HAMILTON	USA	Environmental Health	000	3	4/26/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$613,335
														Subtotal = $613,335

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $599,483 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI	2600 CLIFTON AVE	CINCINNATI	OH	45220	HAMILTON	USA	Environmental Health	000	2	4/13/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$599,483
														Subtotal = $599,483

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $632,113 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI	2600 CLIFTON AVE	CINCINNATI	OH	45220	HAMILTON	USA	Environmental Health	000	1	6/19/2020	NEW	$632,113
														Subtotal = $632,113

Grand Total All Awards = $2,924,494

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Epigenetics, air pollution, and childhood mental health

Award Number: R01ES031054

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2027

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