Associations of acetylcholinesterase activity with depression and anxiety symptoms among adolescents growing up near pesticide spray sites.

Affiliation

University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. Electronic address: [Email]

Abstract

The cholinergic system has an important role in mood regulation. Cholinesterase inhibitor pesticides (e.g. organophosphates) appear to increase depression and anxiety symptoms in the few existing animal and human studies. Human studies have not described such associations using biomarkers of exposure and studies among children are needed.

Keywords

Adolescents,Agriculture,Anxiety,Depression,Ecuador,Pesticides,