Effects of Lead Overburden on Neuropsychological Development in Inner City Children

Inner city children face a higher risk of lead overburden, which can impact their cognitive abilities. This study focuses on understanding the neuropsychological effects of lead overburden and how it influences the development of attention and memory at different ages. The research is part of a broader study that aims to comprehend the impact of lead overburden on children's attention and memory development. This study holds significance as it could shed light on the specific ways lead overburden affects children's cognitive development, helping to address this challenge effectively. During the study, participants will undergo Event-Related Potential (ERP) measures of attention and memory. These tests involve watching various computer images while wearing scalp electrodes that record from 11 sites. The tests will be conducted every eight months, for a total of three sessions. The study will include 30 children with lead overburden, selected from the larger study, and they will be matched with 30 children without lead overburden. This part of the study aims to provide a physiological functioning index to be used alongside behavior-based measures of attention and memory, offering valuable insights into the different measures.