Long term exposure to pesticides linked to cognitive decline

April, 2011

A French study of vineyard workers points to lower cognitive performance and cognitive decline in those chronically exposed to pesticides.

A study involving 614 middle-aged vineyard workers has found that those who were exposed to pesticides were five times as likely to perform more poorly on cognitive tests compared to those not exposed, and twice as likely to show cognitive decline over a two-year period.

Participants were in their 40s and 50s and had worked for at least 20 years in the agricultural sector. One in five had never been exposed to pesticides as part of their job; over half had been directly exposed, and the remainder had been possibly or certainly indirectly exposed. Educational level, age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking, psychotropic drug use and depressive symptoms were taken into account.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-12/bmj-lte113010.php

Reference:

[2092] Baldi, I., Gruber A., Rondeau V., Lebailly P., Brochard P., & Fabrigoule C.
(2011). Neurobehavioral effects of long-term exposure to pesticides: results from the 4-year follow-up of the PHYTONER Study.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 68(2), 108 - 115.

pesticides

middle-aged

aging

Lifestyle

Related News

Why metabolic syndrome is linked to cognitive decline?

I’ve reported before on the growing evidence that metabolic syndrome in middle and old age is linked to greater risk of cognitive impairment in old age and faster decline.

Rapamycin makes young mice learn better and prevents decline in old mice

I have reported previously on research suggesting that rapamycin, a bacterial product first isolated from soil on Easter Island and used to help transplant patients prevent organ rejection, might improve learning and memory.

Menopause ‘brain fog’ a product of poor sleep and depression?

A study involving 75 perimenopausal women aged 40 to 60 has found that those with memory complaints tended to show impairments in

Genes, brain size, brain atrophy, and Alzheimer’s risk

Genetic analysis of 9,232 older adults (average age 67; range 56-84) has implicated four genes in how fast your

Larger belly linked to memory problems in people with HIV

A study involving 130 HIV-positive people has found that memory impairment was associated with a significantly larger waistline.

Alzheimer's protein may impair mental function even in healthy adults

Another study adds to the evidence that changes in the brain that may lead eventually to Alzheimer’s begin many years before Alzheimer’s is diagnosed.

Cognitive decline begins in middle age

The age at which cognitive decline begins has been the subject of much debate. The Seattle longitudinal study has provided most of the evidence that it doesn’t begin until age 60.

Memory genes vary in protecting against age-related cognitive decline

Previous research has found that carriers of the so-called

Obesity linked to better cognition in post-menopausal women

Obesity has been linked to cognitive decline, but a new study involving 300 post-menopausal women has found that higher BMI was associated with higher cognitive scores.

Whether couple’s collaborative dialogue helps spouse's memory

In my book on remembering what you’re doing and what you intend to do, I briefly discuss the popular strategy of asking someone to remind you (basically, whether it’s an effective strategy depends on several factors, of which the most important is the reliability of the person doing the remindin

Pages