title: Memory functions in persons with dental amalgam.
abstract: Memory and psychophysiological variables in persons with self-reported reactions to dental amalgam (amalgam patients: N=26) and in persons without such symptoms (controls: N=21) were compared. The groups were matched regarding age, education, and amount of amalgam. Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised was obtained for all subjects and compared to amalgam points in a dose-response design. The results demonstrated that amalgam patients function on the same level as the controls regarding memory variables, attention, concentration, and delayed recall. Psychophysiological measures of skin conductance as correlates of attention and basal memory functions, were compared in the two groups. No differences between the two groups were observed and no correlation between memory variables and exposure to amalgam could be detected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Bergen, Jonas Liesvei 91, N-5009, Bergen, Norway. k.dalen@psych.uib.no
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dalen
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Lygre
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kløve
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Gjerdet
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Askevold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011603:Psychophysiology
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam