Chronic Low-Level mercury exposure and neuropsychological functioning

Uzzell, Barbara P.; Oler, Jacqueline

doi:10.1080/01688638608405177

Cited by 74 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…31 In our study, dentists were significantly more likely than control subjects to report that they had suffered from and received treatment for a kidney disorder, but there was no observed relationship between levels of urinary mercury and reporting of kidney disorders. Vershoor et al 18 similarly reported a relatively high percentage of dental staff exhibiting renal dysfunction but found no significant relationship between urinary mercury levels and kidney disorders.…”

Section: Biological Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 57%

Mercury vapour levels in dental practices and body mercury levels of dentists and controls

et al. 2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Biological Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 57%

Mercury vapour levels in dental practices and body mercury levels of dentists and controls

et al. 2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Several studies have reported neurobehavioral effects related to motor and cognitive functions (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) in humans during ongoing exposure to mercury vapors. Contrary to the large number of studies on currently exposed workers, few epidemiologic studies have focused on the long-term effects on workers who are no longer exposed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Neurobehavioral effects of occupational exposure have been described as falling into the 3 major groups of alterations in emotional state, effects on cognitive functions, and effects on motor functions (1,2). Ongoing exposure to lower concentrations of mercury vapors has been associated with increased hand or finger tremor, subclinical changes in coordination, neuromuscular functions, and deficits in memory and attention (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Magos (21) suggested that it may be a mistake to relate defects to exposure estimates valid at a time when the possibility of higher exposure in the past cannot be excluded.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuropsychological effects associated with exposure to mercury vapor among former chloralkali workers

Mathiesen¹,

Ellingsen²,

Kjuus³

1999

Scand J Work Environ Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives This investigation studied possible neuropsychological effects among former chloralkali workers with past exposure to merculy vapor. Methods Seventy-five formerly exposed workers who had been examined with an extensive neuropsychological test battery were compared with 52 referents frequency-matched for age. The tests measured general cognitive function, motor and psychomotor function, attention, memory, and learning. The groups were similar in educational level, age, and verbal comprehension. The mean exposure time to mercury vapor in the index group was 7.9 (range 1.1-36.2) years with an annual mean urinary mercury concentration of 539 (range 41-2921) nmoU(1. year). The mean time since the cessation of exposure was 12.7 (range 1.0-35.0) years. Results Performance on the grooved pegboard (dominant hand 75.8 versus 70.9 seconds, P<0.05; nondominant hand 82.2 versus 76.3 seconds, P=0.02) and the Benton visual retention test (mean number of correct reproductions 6.9 versus 7.5, P<0.05) was poorer among the formerly exposed workers when compared with the referents. In addition the subjects who had experienced the highest intensity of exposure [cumulative urinary mercury index 2550 nmoV(1. year)] had a poorer performance on the trailmaking test, part A and B, on the digit symbol test, and on the word pairs test (retention errors). C O~C~U S~O~S The presented results suggest a slight persistent effect of mercury vapor exposure on the central nervous system, mainly involving motor functions and attention, but also possibly related to the visual system. Previous exposure does not seem to have affected the workers' general intellectual level or their ability to reason logically.Key terms ceased exposure, cumulative mercury exposure, neurobehavioral effects.The central nervous system (CNS) is a well known tar-

show abstract

“…All studies found significant correlations between level of mercury in blood, urine, nails, hairs, or air, and results for the tests used in the respective studies (neurological, psychological, or both) [75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83]. One study found more physical and psychological symptoms in dentists and their personnel than in controls [84], and one single-group cross-sectional study found moderate to severe deviations from norm results of a standardized neuropsychological test-battery (memory, attention, language tasks, visuo-spatial capacity) in 17% of the tested persons and one standard-deviation from population norms for the group as a whole [85].…”

Section: Mercury Exposure In Workersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Inorganic Mercury Play a Role in Alzheimer's Disease? A Systematic Review and an Integrated Molecular Mechanism

Mutter¹,

Curth

Naumann³

et al. 2010

JAD

147

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to humans. It has been introduced into the human environment and has also been widely used in medicine. Since circumstantial evidence exists that the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) might be in part caused or exacerbated by inorganic mercury, we conducted a systematic review using a comprehensive search strategy. Studies were screened according to a pre-defined protocol. Two reviewers extracted relevant data independent of each other. One thousand and forty one references were scrutinized, and 106 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most studies were case control or comparative cohort studies. Thirty-two studies, out of 40 testing memory in individuals exposed to inorganic mercury, found significant memory deficits. Some autopsy studies found increased mercury levels in brain tissues of AD patients. Measurements of mercury levels in blood, urine, hair, nails, and cerebrospinal fluid were inconsistent. In vitro models showed that inorganic mercury reproduces all pathological changes seen in AD, and in animal models inorganic mercury produced changes that are similar to those seen in AD. Its high affinity for selenium and selenoproteins suggests that inorganic mercury may promote neurodegenerative disorders via disruption of redox regulation. Inorganic mercury may play a role as a co-factor in the development of AD. It may also increase the pathological influence of other metals. Our mechanistic model describes potential causal pathways. As the single most effective public health primary preventive measure, industrial, and medical usage of mercury should be eliminated as soon as possible.

show abstract

Chronic Low-Level mercury exposure and neuropsychological functioning

Cited by 74 publications

References 28 publications

Mercury vapour levels in dental practices and body mercury levels of dentists and controls

Mercury vapour levels in dental practices and body mercury levels of dentists and controls

Neuropsychological effects associated with exposure to mercury vapor among former chloralkali workers

Does Inorganic Mercury Play a Role in Alzheimer's Disease? A Systematic Review and an Integrated Molecular Mechanism

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About