title: Occupational exposure to methyl isobutyl ketone causes lasting impairment in working memory.
abstract: The authors describe serial evaluations of a 44-year-old man who became cognitively impaired during a 6-year period of repeated exposure to high levels of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Neuropsychological tests administered six times over 10 years demonstrated a stable pattern of cognitive impairment. Dynamic imaging studies suggested persistent CNS dysfunction. The authors conclude that chronic, high-level, occupational MIBK exposure can cause a persistent cognitive syndrome best explained by impaired working memory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461-1602, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grober
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Schaumburg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008742:Methyl n-Butyl Ketone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D008742:Methyl n-Butyl Ketone; C005458:methyl isobutyl ketone