IngentaConnect NEUROBEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF VANADIUM

Authors: Barth A.¹; Schaffer A. W.¹; Konnaris C.¹; Blauensteiner R.¹; Winker R.¹; Osterode W.¹; Rüdiger H. W.¹

Source: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A, Volume 65, Number 9, 10 May 2002 , pp. 677-683(7)

Abstract:

It was our aim to study whether chronic exposure to vanadium reduces cognitive abilities. We investigated effects on attention, visuospatial and visuomotor functioning, reaction time, short-term memory, and prefrontal functioning. Forty-nine vanadium exposed subjects with a mean vanadium level in urine (VanU) of 14.4 µ/L and 49 controls (VanU: 0.8 µg/L) with the same socioeconomic background were investigated. Neuropsychological tests were done using a modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Block Design Test (BDT), Visual Recognition Test (VRT), Simple Reaction Time (SRT), Choice Reaction (CR), Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS), and Digit Span (DS). Exposure was assessed by using the vanadium level in urine and serum. While there were significant differences in BDT and DSS, no differences were found in WCST, SRT, CR, and DS. Significant correlations existed between the vanadium levels in urine and serum and the cognitive deficits. Vanadium concentrations around 14.2 µg/L in urine reduce neurobehavioral abilities, particularly visuospatial abilities and attention.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$45.09 plus tax Refund Policy