title: Long-term occupational exposure and the diagnosis of dementia.
abstract: Several experiments are reported which concern the possible role of long-term occupational exposure in the etiology of dementia. A case study of a male with memory impairment thought to be due to Alzheimer's disease is reported. Neuropsychological testing revealed impairments in short-term memory, which gradually cleared over months. Analyses uncovered extremely high serum levels of a solvent (perchlorethylene) this individual had used for decades in a dry-cleaning business. A case-series is also reported in which four individuals with similar patterns of neuropsychological performance were noted to share occupational exposure to metal vapors. The results of a preliminary case-control study are also reported in which an increased incidence of long-term occupational exposure to metals and solvents was noted in patients with Alzheimer's disease. These results suggest that the role of long-term occupational exposure needs to be thoroughly investigated in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-1061.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Freed
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kandel
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D003704:Dementia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D008670:Metals / Q000633:toxicity; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D008670:Metals; D012997:Solvents; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene