Cognitive disorders and tau-protein expression among retired aluminum smelting workers.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze cognitive functions and tau-protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes of retired aluminum (Al)-exposed workers.


METHODS
A total of 66 retired Al potroom workers and 70 unexposed controls were investigated. The cognitive functions were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The tau-protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocyte was analyzed with Western blot.


RESULTS
The cognitive functions of the exposed group were significantly decreased. Twelve mild cognitive impairment cases in the exposed group and four mild cognitive impairment cases in the control group were diagnosed. Significantly higher p-tau181 and p-tau231 levels were detected in the Al-exposed workers than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that long-term exposure to Al may cause cognitive disorders and that p-tau181 and p-tau231 might be useful indicators for monitoring cognitive decline in Al-exposed workers.
From the Department of Occupational Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
Xiaoting
X
Lu
Ruifeng
R
Liang
Zhijian
Z
Jia
Hao
H
Wang
Baolong
B
Pan
Qinli
Q
Zhang
Qiao
Q
Niu
D000368:Aged; D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002681:China; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D016875:tau Proteins; D000535:Aluminum