title: Chronic exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and neuropsychological functioning in farm workers: a review.
abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that acute poisoning from exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides in agricultural workers causes adverse health effects. However, neuropsychological and cognitive effects of chronic occupational exposure to OP pesticides remain controversial.
  
  
  
  To identify, evaluate, and systematize existing evidence regarding chronic exposure to OP pesticides and neuropsychological effects in farmworkers.
  
  
  
  Using the PubMed search engine, a systematic review process was implemented and replicated according to the PRISMA statement. Eligibility criteria included workers over 18 years of age exposed to OP pesticides as well as assessment of neuropsychological and cognitive functioning. Search terms were in English and Spanish languages and included organophosphate and workers.
  
  
  
  Of the search results, 33 of 1,256 articles meet eligibility criteria. Twenty-four studies found an association between chronic occupational exposure to OP pesticides and low neuropsychological performance in workers. We classified nine of the studies to have study design limitations. Studies indicated occupational exposure to OP pesticides is linked to difficulties in executive functions, psychomotor speed, verbal, memory, attention, processing speed, visual-spatial functioning, and coordination. Nine studies find no relationship between OP pesticides exposure and neuropsychological performance.
  
  
  
  Overall, evidence suggests an association between chronic occupational exposure to OP pesticides and neuropsychological effects. However, there is no consensus about the specific cognitive skills affected.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health Sciences , Catholic University of Maule , Talca , Chile.
authors.forename: María Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Quezada
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health Sciences , Catholic University of Maule , Talca , Chile.
authors.forename: Boris Andrés
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lucero
authors.affiliation: b School of Public Health , University of Chile , Santiago , Chile.
authors.forename: Verónica Paz
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.affiliation: b School of Public Health , University of Chile , Santiago , Chile.
authors.forename: María Pía
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health Sciences , Catholic University of Maule , Talca , Chile.
authors.forename: Claudia Alejandra
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cornejo
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health Sciences , Catholic University of Maule , Talca , Chile.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Achu
authors.affiliation: c College of Public Health , University of Georgia , Athens , GA , USA.
authors.forename: Brittney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baumert
authors.affiliation: c College of Public Health , University of Georgia , Athens , GA , USA.
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hanchey
authors.affiliation: d Regional Secretary of Ministry of Health , Talca , Chile.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Concha
authors.affiliation: e Regional Hospital of Talca , Talca , Chile.
authors.forename: Ana María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brito
authors.affiliation: f Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) , Talca , Chile.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villalobos
mesh_terms: D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D000067565:Farmers / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D010755:Organophosphates; D010575:Pesticides
keywords: Neuropsychological functioning; Occupational exposure; Organophosphate pesticides; Workers