Edward F. Fitzgerald,1 Erin E. Belanger,2 Marta I. Gomez,2 Michael Cayo,2 Robert J. McCaffrey,3 Richard F. Seegal,4 Robert L. Jansing,4 Syni-an Hwang,2 and Heraline E. Hicks5
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, New York, USA; 2Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, Center for Environmental Health, New York State Department of Health, Troy, New York, USA; 3Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA; 4Division of Environmental Disease Prevention, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA; 5Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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.
Key words: adult, affective symptoms , hazardous waste , neurobehavioral manifestations, neuropsychological tests , polychlorinated biphenyls. Environ Health Perspect 116:209–215 (2008) . doi:10.1289/ehp.10432 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 12 November 2007]
