1. Suarez-Lopez JR, Jacobs DR, Himes JH, Alexander BH. (2012). Lower acetylcholinesterase activity among children living with flower plantation workers. Env. Res 53–59; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2012.01.007 .
We found that children living with flower plantation workers in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador, show lower levels of a vital enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This enzyme helps regulate important functions in the body, and lower levels can indicate exposure to harmful pesticides commonly used in the flower industry. Our research involved measuring AChE activity in 277 children aged 4 to 9 years, with 57% of them living with at least one flower worker. We discovered that children who lived with flower workers had AChE activity that was significantly lower than those who did not. Specifically, the more years a child lived with a flower worker, the lower their AChE levels tended to be. This suggests that pesticides brought home by workers can accumulate over time, affecting their children’s health. Additionally, we identified risky practices among flower workers, such as washing work clothes at home, that likely contribute to this pesticide exposure. Our findings highlight the need for better safety measures and education for agricultural workers to protect their families from harmful pesticide exposure.
2. Suarez-Lopez JR, Jacobs DR, Himes JH, Alexander BH. (2013). Acetylcholinesterase activity, cohabitation with floricultural workers, and blood pressure in Ecuadorian children. Environ. Health Perspect. 121:619–624; https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205431
We investigated how living with flower plantation workers affects children’s health in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. These workers often bring home pesticides on their clothes, which can expose their families, especially children, to harmful chemicals. Our research focused on children aged 4 to 9 years, measuring a specific enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) that helps indicate pesticide exposure. Our findings revealed that lower AChE activity was linked to lower blood pressure in children. Specifically, for each unit decrease in AChE, systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) dropped by about 2.86 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) decreased by about 2.89 mmHg. Children living with flower workers had lower blood pressure compared to those who did not. This suggests that even small amounts of pesticide exposure can impact children’s blood pressure. While lower blood pressure might seem good, we are concerned about the long-term health effects of these low-dose pesticide exposures on children’s growth and development. Further research is needed to understand these impacts better and to promote safer practices for agricultural workers and their families.
3. Suarez-Lopez, JR, Himes, J. H., Jacobs, D. R., Alexander, B. H., Gunnar, M. R. (2013). Acetylcholinesterase activity and neurodevelopment in boys and girls. Pediatrics, 132(6), e1649–58. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-0108.
We examined how exposure to certain pesticides affects the brain development of children living in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. Our research focused on a specific enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which can be inhibited by these pesticides, indicating exposure. We studied 307 children aged 4 to 9 years and assessed their neurodevelopment in areas like attention, memory, and language. Our findings showed that lower AChE activity was linked to poorer performance in neurodevelopment, particularly in boys. Boys with lower AChE levels had significantly higher chances of showing delays in attention and memory skills compared to girls, who did not show the same pattern. This suggests that boys may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of pesticide exposure on their brain development. Since attention and memory are crucial for learning, our results highlight the need for better safety measures to protect children from pesticide exposure in agricultural areas.
4. Suárez-Torres J, Suárez-López JR, López-Paredes D, Morocho H, Cachiguango-Cachiguango LE, Dellai W. (2017). Agroecology and Health: Lessons from Indigenous Populations. Curr. Environ. Heal. Reports; https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-017-0146-z
This research highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge and agroecology in food production, particularly in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador, and across Latin America. We found that traditional farming practices, passed down through generations, offer sustainable solutions to today’s food security challenges. These practices focus on respecting nature and using local resources wisely, which can lead to healthier food systems and improved nutrition. We discovered that international organizations, like the United Nations, are recognizing the value of these indigenous methods. They encourage governments to support policies that incorporate this knowledge into modern agriculture. By blending traditional wisdom with modern science, we can create a more sustainable and equitable way to grow food. This approach not only benefits local communities but also contributes to global efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition. The lessons learned from indigenous populations remind us of the interconnectedness of people, nature, and food systems, urging us to adopt practices that promote harmony and sustainability for future generations.
5. Suarez-Lopez JR, Checkoway H, Jacobs DR, Al-Delaimy WK, Gahagan S. (2017). Potential short-term neurobehavioral alterations in children associated with a peak pesticide spray season: The Mother’s Day flower harvest in Ecuador. Neurotoxicology; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2017.02.002 .
Our research focused on children aged 4 to 9 living in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador, during a time of increased pesticide use related to the Mother’s Day flower harvest. We wanted to see if the timing of assessments after this peak pesticide period affected the children’s neurobehavioral performance, which includes things like attention and motor skills. We found that children tested soon after the harvest had lower scores in areas such as attention control and visuospatial processing compared to those tested later. This suggests that exposure to pesticides may temporarily affect how children think and behave. Notably, girls showed more improvement over time than boys, indicating they might recover from these effects more quickly. Our findings highlight the potential risks of pesticide exposure for children living near agricultural areas, even if they do not directly work with the chemicals. These results call for more studies to better understand the long-term effects of pesticide exposure on children’s development.
6. Suarez-Lopez JR, Butcher CR, Gahagan S, Checkoway H, Alexander BH, Al-Delaimy WK. Acetylcholinesterase activity and time after a peak pesticide-use period among Ecuadorian children. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. October 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-017-1265-4
We explored how children’s exposure to pesticides affects their health in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador, especially during peak flower production times like Mother’s Day. Our research focused on 308 children aged 4 to 9 years, measuring a specific enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which indicates pesticide exposure. We found that children living close to flower plantations had lower AChE activity soon after the Mother’s Day harvest, suggesting they were more affected by pesticide use. The closer children lived to the plantations, the more significant the impact. For instance, those living within 233 meters showed the strongest connection between time after the harvest and AChE levels. This means that even if children do not work in agriculture, they can still be exposed to harmful pesticides through the air and from family members who work in the fields. Our findings highlight the need for more awareness and protective measures for children living near agricultural areas, as these pesticide exposures can potentially harm their development and overall health.
7. Suarez-Lopez JR, Hong V, McDonald K, Suarez-Torres J, Lopez D, De la Cruz F. Home proximity to flower plantations and higher systolic blood pressure among children. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2018 Aug 18. pii: S1438-4639(18)30347-X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.08.006
We found that children living near flower plantations in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador, had higher blood pressure. Our research involved 310 children aged 4 to 9 years, and we measured how close their homes were to these plantations. We discovered that the closer children lived to the plantations, the higher their systolic blood pressure was, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. For every 1,000 meters closer to a plantation, we noticed an increase in blood pressure. Additionally, we found that larger areas of flower plantations nearby also contributed to higher blood pressure levels. Interestingly, this effect was not linked to certain markers in the blood that indicate exposure to specific pesticides. This suggests that other chemicals used in agriculture might be affecting the children’s health. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding how living near agricultural areas can impact children’s health. It raises concerns about pesticide exposure and calls for further research to protect the well-being of children in these communities.
8. Suarez-Lopez JR, Amchich F, Murillo J, Denenberg J. Blood pressure after a heightened pesticide spray period among children living in agricultural communities in Ecuador. Environ Res. May 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.05.030
We investigated how pesticide spraying during flower harvest seasons affects blood pressure in children aged 4 to 9 living in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. Our research included 313 children and measured their blood pressure at different times after the peak pesticide use period associated with Mother’s Day flower production. We found that children examined soon after the pesticide spraying had higher blood pressure compared to those checked later. Specifically, for every 10.9 days after the harvest, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly. This means that the closer children were examined to the time of pesticide spraying, the more likely they were to have elevated blood pressure. Additionally, we noticed that children tested sooner had lower levels of a specific enzyme (acetylcholinesterase), which indicates higher pesticide exposure. These findings suggest that children living near agricultural areas are at risk of health issues from pesticide exposure, even if they do not work directly in farming. We recommend further studies to better understand how pesticide exposure affects children’s health over time.
9. Suarez-Lopez JR Hood N, Suarez-Torres J, Gahagan S, Gunnar M, Lopez-Paredes D. Associations of acetylcholinesterase activity with depression and anxiety symptoms among adolescents growing up near pesticide spray sites. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2019 Jun 12. pii: S1438-4639(19)30117-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.06.001
This paper focused on adolescents living in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador, and examined how exposure to certain pesticides might affect their mental health. We discovered that lower levels of a specific enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which indicates higher pesticide exposure, were linked to increased symptoms of depression, especially among younger girls. This means that adolescents with lower AChE activity were more likely to report feeling depressed. Interestingly, we did not find a similar connection between AChE levels and anxiety symptoms. The strongest effects were seen in girls under 14 years old, suggesting they might be more vulnerable to the impacts of pesticide exposure. Our findings highlight a potential risk for depression in teenagers living near areas where pesticides are used, particularly for young girls. This study is significant as it is one of the first to use a biological measure of pesticide exposure to explore its relationship with mental health in children. It underscores the importance of considering environmental factors when addressing mental health issues in young people.
10. Friedman, E., Hazlehurst, M.F., Loftus, C., Karr, C., McDonald, K.N., Suarez-Lopez, J.R., 2019. Residential proximity to greenhouse agriculture and neurobehavioral performance in Ecuadorian children. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.08.009
We found that children living close to flower plantations in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador, showed poorer performance in important areas like language, memory, and attention. Specifically, children who lived within 50 meters of these plantations had significantly lower scores in these areas compared to those living more than 500 meters away. For every 100 meters closer a child lived to the flower crops, their chances of scoring poorly in memory and language increased. These results highlight a concerning link between living near agricultural areas that use pesticides and the development of children’s cognitive skills. The pesticides can drift from the fields and affect children’s health, which is particularly troubling during critical growth periods. Our findings suggest that creating larger buffer zones between homes and agricultural fields could help protect children from harmful pesticide exposure, promoting better health and development.
11. Suarez-Lopez, J.R., Nguyen, A., Klas, J., Gahagan, S., Checkoway, H., Lopez-Paredes, D., Jacobs, D.R., Noble, M., 2021. Associations of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Between Pesticide Spray Seasons with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Adolescents, and the Role of Sex and Adrenal Hormones on Gender Moderation. Expo. Heal. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-020-00361-w
This study investigated how exposure to pesticides affects the mental health of adolescents in Ecuador. Pesticides that inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are commonly used in agriculture. These AChE inhibitors can disrupt the nervous system, including brain function. Decreased AChE activity suggests higher levels of pesticide exposure. We examined 300 adolescents aged 11–17, measuring AChE activity in their blood. We also assessed their symptoms of depression and anxiety using standardized mental health surveys. Our findings revealed that greater AChE inhibition, indicating higher pesticide exposure, was associated with increased symptoms of depression, particularly in girls and older adolescents. For every 10% decrease in AChE activity, the likelihood of elevated depression symptoms increased significantly. Adjusting for cortisol, testosterone, and DHEA levels partly explained the gender difference. However, no link was found between AChE inhibition and anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides may contribute to short-term mood changes in adolescents, particularly girls. Futher research should be conducted into the long-term effects of pesticide exposure on mental health.
12. Suárez-López, J.R., Nazeeh, N., Kayser, G., Suarez-Torres, J., Checkoway, H., López-Paredes, D., Jacobs, D.R., Cruz, F. de la, 2020. Residential proximity to greenhouse crops and pesticide exposure (via acetylcholinesterase activity) assessed from childhood through adolescence. Environ. Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109728
In this study, we explored how living close to greenhouses using pesticides affects the health of children and teenagers in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. We measured levels of an enzyme in the blood that is reduced when exposed to certain pesticides, called acetylcholinesterase (AChE), to understand the extent of exposure. We found that children living within 275 meters of a greenhouse had lower AChE levels, meaning they were more severely exposed to pesticides. People living closest to greenhouses – between 0 and 150 meters – were the most severely affected. This shows that pesticide drift from greenhouses can significantly affect the health of people living nearby. This is the first long-term study to use biological markers to measure pesticide drift from greenhouses. Our findings highlight the need for better protections for children living in farming communities. Steps like improving how pesticides are applied and rethinking land use near residential areas could reduce these risks.
13. Nazeeh, N., Suárez-López, J.R., 2020. Summary data of home proximity to the nearest greenhouse (floricultural) crops and areas of greenhouse crops around various distances from homes in agricultural settings in Ecuador. Data Br. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.105980.
Greenhouses in Pedro Moncayo often use pesticides, which can drift into nearby homes. This paper provides an open-access dataset with measures of ESPINA participants’ pesticide exposure and their home’s proximity to greenhouses. We analyzed data from 623 children, aged 4–17, collected across three time periods (2008, April 2016, and July–October 2016). Using satellite imagery and GPS technology, we measured how close children’s homes were to greenhouses and the size of greenhouse crop areas within varying distances of their homes. We also examined children’s acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels, an enzyme in the blood that decreases when exposed to certain pesticides. Our findings show that children living closer to greenhouses or with larger crop areas near their homes had lower AChE levels, indicating higher pesticide exposure.
14. Phillips S, Suarez-Torres J, Checkoway H, Lopez-Paredes D, Gahagan S, Suarez-Lopez JR. 2021. Acetylcholinesterase activity and thyroid hormone levels in Ecuadorian adolescents living in agricultural settings where organophosphate pesticides are used. Int J Hyg Environ Health 233:113691; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113691
We explored how exposure to organophosphate pesticides, commonly used in agriculture, affects thyroid hormones in adolescents from Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. We measured a specific enzyme, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which indicates pesticide exposure, along with thyroid hormone levels in 80 teenagers aged 12 to 17. Our findings showed that lower AChE activity, suggesting higher pesticide exposure, was linked to increased levels of free thyroxine (fT4), a key thyroid hormone, particularly in girls. In contrast, we found that these girls had lower levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which normally regulates thyroid hormone production. Interestingly, we did not observe the same associations in boys, indicating potential differences in how pesticide exposure affects hormone levels based on gender. This study is significant because it highlights how pesticide exposure can disrupt normal hormone functions in young people, particularly females, which could impact their growth and development. Our research points to the need for larger studies to further understand these relationships and protect the health of adolescents living in agricultural areas.
15. Chronister, B.N., Gonzalez, E., Lopez-Paredes, D., Suarez-Torres, J., Gahagan, S., Martinez, D., Barros, J., Jacobs, D.R., Checkoway, H., Suarez-Lopez, J.R., 2021. Testosterone, estradiol, DHEA and cortisol in relation to anxiety and depression scores in adolescents. J. Affect. Disord. 294, 838–846. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JAD.2021.07.026.
This study explored how certain adrenal and sex hormones (testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, and DHEA) are related to anxiety and depression in adolescents. We measuring ESPINA participants’ hormone levels and assessed their anxiety and depression symptoms using standardized scales. Our findings revealed that higher levels of testosterone, estradiol, and cortisol were associated with more pronounced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Specifically, among boys, elevated estradiol (a form of estrogen) was strongly linked to increased anxiety and depression. Cortisol, a hormone related to stress, also played a role in these relationships, particularly in boys. For girls, we observed that higher cortisol levels seemed to amplify the connection between other hormones, such as testosterone, and depression. Our results suggest that testosterone and cortisol may influence how other hormones impact mood, indicating the complexity of hormonal interactions and their effects on mental health. These findings point to the possibility that hormone imbalances could contribute to mental health challenges during adolescence.
16. Skomal, A.E., Zhang, J., Yang, K., Yen, J., Tu, X., Suarez-Torres, J., Lopez-Paredes, D., Calafat, A.M., Ospina, M., Martinez, D., Suarez-Lopez, J.R., 2022. Concurrent urinary organophosphate metabolites and acetylcholinesterase activity in Ecuadorian adolescents. Environ Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112163.
Our study examined the effects of exposure to organophosphate pesticides on adolescents living in agricultural communities in Ecuador. Organophosphate pesticides can inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme essential for proper nervous system function. We measured AChE levels in blood and pesticide metabolites in urine samples of more than 500 adolescents in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. We found that higher levels of certain pesticide metabolites found in the urine, particularly para-nitrophenol (PNP), were associated with reduced AChE activity. This indicates greater pesticide exposure, with stronger effects observed when PNP levels were in the top 20% of concentrations measured. Two other organophosphate metabolites, called TCPy and MDA, showed weaker, non-significant, reductions in AChE activity. Reduced AChE activity may signal potential health risks, including impacts on the nervous system.
17. Espinosa da Silva, C., Gahagan, S., Suarez-Torres, J., Lopez-Paredes, D., Checkoway, H., Suarez-Lopez, J.R., 2022. Time after a peak-pesticide use period and neurobehavior among Ecuadorian children and adolescents: The ESPINA study. Environ Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112325
We investigated the effects of pesticide exposure on the brain function of children and adolescents in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. Our goal was to understand how pesticide spray seasons, particularly immediately after peak spraying periods, affected neurobehavioral performance over time. The study examined ESPINA participants in during three periods (2008, 2016, and 2016) and assessed their brain function using the NEPSY-II test. Our findings showed that children tested shortly after a peak pesticide spray season displayed lower test scores, particularly in attention, inhibitory control, and language skills, compared to those tested later, when pesticide exposure was lower. However, these negative effects appeared to decrease or disappear within 92 to 112 days following the pesticide spray periods. Our results suggest that while pesticide exposure can have short-term detrimental effects on brain function, children generally recover over time. However, we also emphasize that repeated exposure or cumulative effects could lead to long-term consequences. This highlights the need for more careful management of pesticide use, particularly in areas near schools and residential communities during peak-use periods.
18. Chronister BNC, Yang K, Yang AR, Lin T, Tu XM, Lopez-Paredes D, Checkoway H, Suarez-Torres J, Gahagan S, Martinez D, Barr D, Moore RC and Suarez-Lopez JR. Glyphosate, 2,4-D and DEET biomarkers in relation to neurobehavioral performance in Ecuadorian adolescents in the ESPINA cohort. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2023. doi: https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11383. Epub 2023 Oct 11.
We conducted a study with adolescents from the ESPINA cohort in Pedro Moncayo to see how exposure to common herbicides and insect repellents affects brain performance in teenagers. We tested the teens with a series of brain challenges focusing on attention, memory, language, and social perception using a standardized test called NEPSY-II. We then measured the levels of common pesticides (glyphosate, 2,4-D, and DEET) in their urine to see how much they were exposed. Our findings showed that exposure to the herbicide 2,4-D was linked to lower scores on most brain function tests, in particular for attention, language, and memory. Glyphosate, another herbicide, was also found to be associated with lower scores in social perception, meaning they were less able to understand and respond to social cues like facial expressions.
19. Chronister BNC, Yang K, Yang AR, Lin T, Tu XM, Lopez-Paredes D, Checkoway H, Suarez-Torres J, Gahagan S, Martinez D, Barr D, Moore RC and Suarez-Lopez JR. Erratum: “Glyphosate, 2,4-D and DEET biomarkers in relation to neurobehavioral performance in Ecuadorian adolescents in the ESPINA cohort”. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2023. doi: https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14201. Epub 2023 Dec 7 ‡ This article received an Altmetric Score of 189 within the first month after publication, placing our work in the top 1% of all research outputs ever scored by Altmetric (#210,743 of 25,394,761 outputs scored). https://ehp.altmetric.com/details/155313791 . This publication had so much interest, that the journal Environmental Health Perspectives dedicated a Science Selection Article to our work (See Lewis 2023, below).
20. Lewis, Jori, A Thorny Problem: Glyphosate and 2,4-D Associated with Neurobehavioral Effects for Ecuadorian Adolescents. Science Selection. Environ Health Perspect. 2023 Dec;131(12):124001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14169. Role: JR Suarez, provided key information about the ESPINA study and publication which this Science Selection Article is centered on: B Chronister, … Suarez-Lopez JR, “Glyphosate, 2,4-D and DEET biomarkers in relation to neurobehavioral performance in Ecuadorian adolescents in the ESPINA cohort”.
21. Chronister BNC, Justo D, Wood Dr, Lopez-Paredes D, Gonzalez E, Suarez-Torres J, Gahagan S, Martinez D, Jacobs Jr DR, Checkoway H, Jankowska MM, Suarez-Lopez JR. Sex and Adrenal Hormones in Association with Insecticide Biomarkers among Adolescents living in Ecuadorian Agricultural Communities. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114386.
In this study, we examined how exposure to certain pesticides affects hormone levels in adolescents living in agricultural communities in Ecuador. Hormones like testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA are critical for growth and development, especially during adolescence, but exposure to pesticides has been shown to interfere with hormones in animal and in vitro studies. We analyzed urine samples from over 500 adolescents to measure their exposure to three types of pesticides: organophosphates, pyrethroids, and neonicotinoids. We then tested their saliva for hormone levels. Our findings revealed that higher pesticide exposure was linked to changes in hormone levels, particularly in boys. More specifically, greater pesticide exposure was associated with increased testosterone and DHEA levels in boys, and neonicotinoids were linked to higher estradiol levels (which was not measured in girls). This study is one of the first to explore these associations in adolescents, providing important evidence that pesticide exposure can disrupt hormonal balance during a critical period of development. These findings highlight the need for better protections and policies to reduce pesticide exposure in farming communities.
22. Parajuli, R.P., Bhandari, S., Ward, L.M., Suarez-Lopez, J.R., 2024. Risk factors for Ascaris lumbricoides infection and its association with nutritional status and IQ in 14-Year old adolescents in Chitwan, Nepal. Sci. Rep. 14, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77306-9
We looked at how intestinal parasites and nutrition effect the intelligence of adolescents in Nepal’s Chitwan Valley. We measures parasite infections, nutrition, and IQ in 74 adolescents. The main parasite found was Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), present in 16% of participants, but it was not linked to differences in IQ. However, undernutrition was significantly associated with lower IQ, increasing the risk of developmental delays nearly tenfold. Additionally, adolescents with more educated mothers or higher family incomes performed better on IQ tests, highlighting the role of socioeconomic factors in cognitive development. Despite a national deworming program, the persistence of A. lumbricoides infections and widespread undernutrition suggests that poor hygiene and nutrition remain challenges. The study shows the importance of improving health and nutritional education to support children’s development.
23. Amdemicael, B., Yang, K., Chronister, B.N.C., Mackey, C., Tu, X., Gahagan, S., Martinez, D., Checkoway, H., Jacobs, D.R., Suarez-Torres, J., Hong, S., Suarez-Lopez, J.R., 2025. Inflammation biomarkers and neurobehavioral performance in rural adolescents. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health 43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100912
For this paper, we studied how inflammation affects cognitive performance in youth in the ESPINA Cohort. We measured levels of blood markers linked to high inflammation (called CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and sCD14). We then asked participants to complete an assessment called NEPSY-II, which evaluates cognitive function in areas like attention, language, and social perception. Our results showed that, overall, higher levels of inflammation were linked to poorer cognitive function. In other words, participants with higher levels of blood markers linked to inflammation had poorer scores on the NEPSY-II test. The relationship between inflammation and poorer performance in social perception, which involves understanding social cues, was especially strong. Previous studies of the relationship between inflammation and neurobehavioral performance have primarily focused on adults. This study highlights the need for further research into the role of inflammation during adolescence, a critical period for brain development.