Faculty Collaboration Database

Lead exposure biomarkers and mini-mental status exam scores in older men. Epidemiology 2003 Nov;14(6):713-8

Date

10/22/2003

Pubmed ID

14569188

DOI

10.1097/01.EDE.0000081988.85964.db

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-1542787622 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   90 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lead is neurotoxic; yet, whether cognitive decline in older persons is associated with lead exposure is unknown. We studied whether lead exposure biomarkers are associated with cognitive test scores, as well as the modifying effects of age on the lead-cognition relationship.

METHODS: Lead exposure biomarkers and Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) scores were measured among subjects in the Normative Aging Study. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the cross-sectional association of these 2 variables.

RESULTS: We found an odds ratio (OR) of 2.1 for MMSE <24 with an increase from the lowest to the highest quartile of patella lead levels (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 4.1). From the lowest to the highest quartile of blood lead the OR for low MMSE was 3.4 (CI = 1.6 to 6.2). There was an interaction between lead biomarkers and age. Among subjects in the lowest quartile of patella lead levels, MMSE score decreased by 0.03 points per year (CI = -0.07 to 0.005), whereas in the highest quartile, MMSE score decreased by 0.13 points per year (CI = -0.19 to -0.07). Similar interactions were found between blood lead levels and age.

CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of lead in bone and blood are inversely associated with cognitive performance among older men. Lead exposure might accelerate age-associated cognitive decline.

Author List

Wright RO, Tsaih SW, Schwartz J, Spiro A 3rd, McDonald K, Weiss ST, Hu H

Author

Shirng-Wern Tsaih Research Scientist II in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Biomarkers
Cognition
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Lead Poisoning
Male
Mental Status Schedule
Neurotoxins
United States