JOEM: Hearing Gulf War Chemical Alarms Associated with Cognitive Decline

SOURCE:  Journal of Environmental Medicine (JOEM), Post Author Corrections: August 10, 2016

doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000851

Original Article: PDF Only

http://journals.lww.com/joem/toc/9000/00000

SOURCE:  PubMed:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27513172

ARCHIVED ABSTRACT:

J Occup Environ Med. 2016 Aug 10. [Epub ahead of print]

Associations Between the Self-Reported Frequency of Hearing Chemical Alarms in Theater and Visuospatial Function in Gulf War Veterans.

Chao LL1.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: 

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the self-reported frequencies of hearing chemical alarms during deployment and visuospatial function in Gulf War (GW) veterans.

METHODS: 

The relationship between the self-reported frequency of hearing chemical alarms, neurobehavioral, and volumetric brain imaging data was examined with correlational, regression, and mediation analyses.

RESULTS: 

The self-reported frequency of hearing chemical alarms was inversely associated with and significantly predicted performance on a visuospatial task (ie, Block Design) over and above potentially confounding variables, including concurrent, correlated GW-related exposures. This effect was partially mediated by the relationship between hearing chemical alarms and lateral occipital cortex volume.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Exposure to substances that triggered chemical alarms during GW deployment likely had adverse effects on veterans' brain structure and function, warranting further investigation of whether these GW veterans are at an increased risk for dementia.

PMID:

 

27513172

 

DOI:

 

10.1097/JOM.0000000000000851

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]