title: Biomarkers of Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Cognitive Function among Elderly in the United States (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 2001-2002).
abstract: Recent studies report a link between common environmental exposures, such as particulate matter air pollution and tobacco smoke, and decline in cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a selected group of chemicals present in particulate matter and tobacco smoke, and measures of cognitive performance among elderly in the general population. This cross-sectional analysis involved data from 454 individuals aged 60 years and older from the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The association between PAH exposures (as measured by urinary biomarkers) and cognitive function (digit symbol substitution test (DSST)) was assessed using multiple linear regression analyses. After adjusting for age, socio-economic status and diabetes we observed a negative association between urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, the gold standard of PAH exposure biomarkers, and DSST score. A one percent increase in urinary 1-hydroxypyrene resulted in approximately a 1.8 percent poorer performance on the digit symbol substitution test. Our findings are consistent with previous publications and further suggest that PAHs, at least in part may be responsible for the adverse cognitive effects linked to tobacco smoke and particulate matter air pollution.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America.
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Best
authors: Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Juarez-Colunga
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America.
authors: Katherine
authors: K
authors: James
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America.
authors: William G
authors: WG
authors: LeBlanc
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America.|Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America.
authors: Berrin
authors: B
authors: Serdar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons