Relationship between Neurocognitive Performance and Body Composition of Men and Women Exposed to Organic Solvents

Abstract

It was investigate the effect of organic solvents on the neurocognitive performance of men and women with and without chronic exposure to organic solvents and verify correlations between neurocognitive performance and body composition indices. Participants included 14 men and 14 exposed women and 14 men and 14 unexposed women. The Trail Making Test (TMT) A and B, the Rey Complex Figure (RCF; Copy and Memory), sociodemographic questionnaire, and bioimpedance evaluation were used. There was a signifi cant difference between exposed and non-exposed women in all tests. Comparison between exposed and non-exposed men showed a signifi cant difference in TMT-A, RCF-Copy, and RCF-Memory. However, there was no signifi cant difference between sexes. Regarding the comparison between neurocognitive performance and body composition indices, for exposed women, there was a signifi cant correlation between RCF-Copy and water, body weight, fat mass, and lean mass. Regarding the exposed men, there was a signifi cant correlation between TMT-B and WHR (waist-hip ratio) and visceral fat. In general, organic solvents can affect neurocognitive performance and the effects of chronic exposure depend on the accuracy of the neurocognitive test and the body composition index.