Project R-9089

Prenatal acrylamide exposure, its transcriptomic signature and interaction with genetic polymorphsims: associations with perinatal and postnatal development (Research)

Since 2002, we know that many heat-treated foods contain acrylamide, which means that everybody is exposed to this compound. In rodents, acrylamide causes cancer and toxic effects to the nervous, developmental and reproductive system. It is still unclear whether acrylamide at dietary doses causes adverse health effects in humans. There are concerns that it may cause adverse effects on fetal growth and neurotoxic effects in children and this needs to be investigated in epidemiological studies (i.e., studies on human populations). This epidemiological study will answer the question whether prenatal acrylamide exposure is associated with fetal growth and with cognitive function at 4 years. In addition, the study aims to see whether there are associations between acrylamide and molecular markers for these health effects in order to understand the mechanism behind them. Further, I will investigate whether some children are genetically more susceptible to acrylamide than others. The study takes place in the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, a study in which mother-child pairs are followed-up from birth onwards. Acrylamide, markers for fetal growth and cognitive development, and genetic make-up are measured in cord blood. At 4 years, cognitive function is assessed. The results of this study lead to a better understanding of the health risks associated with dietary acrylamide and may lead to stricter measures to control levels of acrylamide in food, if necessary.

01 October 2018 - 30 September 2019