John Wright and Colleagues Examined the Effects of Prenatal and Infant

Multiple Choice

John Wright and colleagues examined the effects of prenatal and infant exposure to lead and its effects on behavior during adulthood. They found that higher levels of fetal and infant lead exposure were associated with higher levels of criminal activity and violent arrests during adulthood, even when they controlled for important correlates of offending, such as demographic characteristics of the mother and child. Which is a reason for the prospective link between lead exposure and crime?

A) Lead causes cancer
B) Lead reduces MAOA activity and interferes with synapse formation
C) Lead directly causes aggression
D) None of the above.