title: Methodological problems in the neuropsychological assessment of effects of exposure to welding fumes and manganese.
abstract: Recently, Kaiser (2003) raised concerns over the increase in brain damage claims reportedly due to exposure to welding fumes. In the present article, we discuss methodological problems in conducting neuropsychological research on the effects of welding exposure, using a recent paper by Bowler et al. (2003) as an example to illustrate problems common in the neurotoxicity literature. Our analysis highlights difficulties in conducting such quasi-experimental investigations, including subject selection bias, litigation effects on symptom report and neuropsychological test performance, response bias, and scientifically inadequate casual reasoning.
authors.affiliation: paul@lees-haley.com
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Lees-Haley
authors.forename: M Frank
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Greiffenstein
authors.forename: Glenn J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Larrabee
authors.forename: Edward L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Manning
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000506:poisoning; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D020260:Heavy Metal Poisoning, Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008345:Manganese; D008722:Methods; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D015983:Selection Bias; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D008345:Manganese