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The Impact of Chronic Pesticide Exposure on Neuropsychological Functioning

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Abstract

This study compared neuropsychological test performance of individuals (n = 18) with an occupational history of pesticide exposure to individuals (n = 35) with no such exposure history. Results showed that a history of pesticide-related occupation exposure led to deficits in only Digit Symbol performance. Additionally, the correlation between Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) performance and age was negative and significant in individuals with pesticide-related occupation exposure (r = −.45, p <.04) but not in those without occupational exposure (r =.09, p >.61), suggesting that cognitive ability (as measured by the MMSE) declines faster in the occupational-exposed group as compared to their counterparts without such exposure. This decline was evident despite the fact that groups did not differ significantly in age.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departmentof Psychology, University of North Dakota, Corwin-Larimore Rm. 215, 319 Harvard Street Stop 8380, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-8380, USA

    Caitlin G. Schultz & F. Richard Ferraro

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  1. Caitlin G. Schultz
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  2. F. Richard Ferraro
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Correspondence to F. Richard Ferraro.

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Schultz, C.G., Ferraro, F.R. The Impact of Chronic Pesticide Exposure on Neuropsychological Functioning. Psychol Rec 63, 175–184 (2013). https://doi.org/10.11133/j.tpr.2013.63.1.013

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