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- Title
Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure and Neuropsychological Status among Older Residents of Upper Hudson River Communities.
- Authors
Fitzgerald, Edward F.; Belanger, Erin E.; Gomez, Marta I.; Cayo, Michael; McCaffrey, Robert J.; Seegal, Richard F.; Jansing, Robert L.; Syni-An Hwang; Hicks, Heraline E.
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may accelerate the cognitive and motor dysfunction found in normal aging, but few studies have examined these outcomes and PCB exposure among older adults. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated neuropsychological status and low-level PCB exposure among older adults living along contaminated portions of the upper Hudson River in New York. METHODS: A total of 253 persons between 55 and 74 years of age were recruited and interviewed, and provided blood samples for congener-specific PCB analysis. Participants also underwent a neuropsychological battery consisting of 34 tests capable of detecting subtle deficits in cognition, motor function, affective state, and olfactory function. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, the results indicated that an increase in serum total PCB concentration from 250 to 500 ppb (lipid basis) was associated with a 6.2% decrease in verbal learning, as measured by California Verbal Learning Test trial 1 score (p = 0.035), and with a 19.2% increase in depressive symptoms, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that exposure to PCBs may be associated with some measures of memory and learning and depression among adults 55-74 years of age whose current body burdens are similar to those of the general population. Although the results are useful in delineating the neuropsychological effects of low-level exposure to PCBs, further studies of whether older men and women are a sensitive subpopulation are needed.
- Subjects
HUDSON River (N.Y. &; N.J.); NEW York (State); POLYCHLORINATED biphenyls; ORGANOCHLORINE compounds; LEARNING; MEMORY loss; MENTAL depression; BLOOD plasma; OLDER people
- Publication
Environmental Health Perspectives, 2008, Vol 116, Issue 2, p209
- ISSN
0091-6765
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1289/ehp.10432