title: The Relationship Between Cognitive Impairment and Global DNA Methylation Decrease Among Aluminum Potroom Workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between cognitive impairment and global DNA methylation in aluminum (Al) potroom workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 366 Al-exposed workers were investigated, and their cognitive functions were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Aluminum in serum was quantified using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Global DNA methylation was analyzed in whole blood using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-like reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mini-Mental State Examination scores and global DNA methylation decreased with the increase of serum Al concentration. Forty-three mild cognitive impairment (MCI) people were diagnosed. Global DNA methylation of the MCI was lower than the non-MCI. Multiple logistic analysis showed that the Al-exposed workers had lower global DNA methylation and higher serum Al concentration and were at the higher risk of MCI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term exposure to Al may cause MCI. Mild cognitive impairment was significantly associated with global DNA methylation in blood.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Occupational Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yuzhou
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Xiaoting
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Linping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jisheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Qinli
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Niu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D002681:China; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011594:Psychometrics; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum