Visually-evoked P300 and NOGO potentials as indicators of central nervous system function in patients with vibration syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed at clarifying the effects of vibration syndrome (VS) on recognition, memory, and selective attention as well as suppression of hand movement in the central nervous system (CNS).


METHODS
Sixty-four patients with VS due to previous exposure to vibration from chain-saw work (Ch) or rock drilling work (RD) and 53 age-matched controls were examined for visually evoked P300 (V-P300) and NOGO potentials (NOGO-P). The patient group was divided into two subgroups, one with VS due to Ch work (Ch group, N = 17) and the other with VS due to RD work (RD group, N = 44).


RESULTS
ANOVA of latencies of V-P300 between three groups including two subgroups by vibration tools and controls was significant (P < 0.001), with significant difference between the control and RD subgroup (P < 0.001) and between the Ch and RD subgroups (P < 0.001). ANOVA of V-P300 amplitude was also significant (P < 0.001), with significant difference between the control group and RD subgroup (P = 0.042). NOGO-P was recorded in 28 of 37 controls (75.7%). Latencies of NOGO-P among VS patients were significantly delayed compared with those of controls (P = 0.0152). The proportions of subjects with abnormal values of V-P300 and NOGO-P among VS patients and RD operators were significantly higher than those in the control.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that VS affects CNS function as represented by V-P300 and NOGO-P.
Hirata
Mamoru
M
Department of Work Physiology and Stress Management, Japan National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. hirata@h.jniosh.go.jp
Sakakibara
Hisataka
H
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D053421:Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*