AGE, LEAD EXPOSURE AND NEUROBEHAVIORAL DECLINE

我们最近完成了一项横断面研究， 职业接触四乙基铅（TEL）和无机铅之间的关系， 认知功能（CF）。 相关性一直被观察到， 铅接触持续时间和接触和剂量的累积估计， 主要在三个领域：语言学习/记忆， 注意力/集中力，以及心理/运动执行的速度和准确性 功能协调发展的 横断面数据支持先前的动物研究， 人类病例报告。 此外，TEL已知会导致神经系统损伤， 动物模型中的缠结。 然而，迄今为止，没有前瞻性数据 为因果关系提供支持 铅暴露研究 人口是独特的，因为有大量的数据可以估计 累积铅暴露量 我们建议进行纵向研究 对400名铅作业工人进行了CF测定， 与400人的年龄、教育和种族频率相比。匹配人群 对照 所有受试者入组时年龄为50 - 74岁， 在36个月内检查了四次。 测试将包括 全面的神经行为测试，将用于 评估各种认知和功能领域。 此外，本发明还提供了一种方法， 嗅觉功能和外周振动阈值也将 评估。 我们的主要目标是确定 铅暴露工人的认知功能比 仅从老龄化预期（在频率匹配人群中测量 控制），如果是，变化是否与年龄有关 暴露时间、自第一次暴露以来的时间和自最后一次暴露以来的时间。作为 第二个目的，我们建议检查我们观察到的差异是否 是功能性的。 本研究的重点是一般的 对了解暴露于以下物质的长期后果感兴趣 神经毒素和相关的模型中观察到的退行性变化， 老年痴呆症等疾病。

We have recently completed a cross-sectional study examining the relation between occupational exposure tetraethyllead (TEL) and inorganic lead and cognitive function (CF). Associations were consistently observed with lead exposure duration and cumulative estimates of exposure and dose, primarily in three domains: verbal learning/memory, attention/concentration, and speed and accuracy of mental/motor executive functions. The cross-sectional data support prior animal studies and human case reports. Moreover, TEL is known to cause neurofibrillary tangles in animal models. However, to date there are no prospective data to provide support for a causal relation. The lead exposed study population is unique because extensive data are available to estimate cumulative exposure to lead. We propose to conduct a longitudinal study to examine change in CF in 400 current and former lead exposed workers compared to 400 age, education, and race frequency. matched population controls. All subjects will be 50 to 74 years of age at enrollment and examined four times over a 36 month period. Testing will consist of a comprehensive battery of neurobehavioral tests which will be used to assess a wide variety of cognitive and functional domains. In addition, olfactory function and peripheral vibration threshold will also be assessed. Our central objective is to determine whether the decline in cognitive function among lead exposed workers is greater than that expected from aging alone (as measured in frequency matched population controls) and, if so, whether the change is related to age at first exposure, time since first exposure, and time since last exposure. As a secondary aim, we propose to examine whether the differences we observe are functionally specific. The focus of this study is both of general interest in understanding the long term consequences of exposure to neurotoxins and relevant to models of degenerative changes observed in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.