title: PCBs and cognitive functioning of Mohawk adolescents.
abstract: This paper reports on the relationships between the cognitive functioning and PCB current body burdens of adolescents in the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne where there is concern about industrial pollution of the environment. Three cognitive tests (Woodcock Johnson-Revised, Test of Memory and Learning, and Ravens Progressive Matrices) provide 13 subtests that allow a variety of cognitive outcomes to be assessed. A summary measure of PCB level was created from the congeners detected in at least 50% of the participants. The most notable finding was the significant negative relationship between PCB levels and two separate measures of long term memory. There was also a negative relationship with a measure of comprehension and knowledge. Significant relationships were not large, but provide evidence of subtle negative effects of PCB exposure.
authors.affiliation: Educational Psychology and Methodology, EDU 236, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, United States. jnewman@albany.edu
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Amy G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Aucompaugh
authors.forename: Lawrence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schell
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Denham
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: DeCaprio
authors.forename: Mia V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ravenscroft
authors.forename: Chin-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: MaryEllen Rougas
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hanover
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Agnes M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Alice M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tarbell
authors.forename: Priscilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Worswick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D009035:Mothers; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D012574:Schools; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls