title: Memory performance profile in occupational chronic solvent encephalopathy suggests working memory dysfunction.
abstract: This pilot study characterizes memory functioning of 11 men with occupational chronic solvent encephalopathy (CSE). Pattern (PRM) and spatial recognition (SRM), spatial span (SSP), spatial working memory (SWM), and paired associate learning (PAL) from Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery were performed twice. The most sensitive variables to show impairment were PAL trials, SRM total correct, and SWM number of between-search errors. The majority of the CSE patients demonstrated mild deficits. The most persistent dysfunction was in tasks demanding working memory processing, which predicted well the CSE status. Qualitatively, the memory deficits resemble those seen in moderate or severe Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Brain and Work Research Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. ritva.akila@ttl.fi
authors.forename: Ritva
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akila
authors.forename: Kiti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Ari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaukiainen
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sainio
mesh_terms: D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012997:Solvents; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents