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. 2008 Feb;116(2):209-15.
doi: 10.1289/ehp.10432.

Polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and neuropsychological status among older residents of upper Hudson River communities

Edward F Fitzgerald  1 , Erin E Belanger, Marta I Gomez, Michael Cayo, Robert J McCaffrey, Richard F Seegal, Robert L Jansing, Syni-an Hwang, Heraline E Hicks
Affiliations

Polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and neuropsychological status among older residents of upper Hudson River communities

Edward F Fitzgerald et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Feb.

Erratum in

  • Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Feb;116(2):215

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.

Keywords: adult; affective symptoms; hazardous waste; neurobehavioral manifestations; neuropsychological tests; polychlorinated biphenyls.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the area of study: Hudson Falls, Fort Edward, and Glens Falls, New York.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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