Structural MRI and Cognitive Correlates in Pest-control Personnel from Gulf War I
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors including organophosphate (OP) pesticides are known to produce chronic neurological symptoms at sufficient exposure levels. Our previous study of cognitive functioning in pest-control personnel from the GWI, found that military pesticide applicators classified as higher pesticide-exposed reported significantly more health symptoms and performed less well on objective cognitive testing than the lower-exposed veterans. It is the goal of this follow-up neuroimaging study to identify the relationships between OP pesticides, brain imaging, cognitive functioning and health symptoms in this well-characterized group of pest-control personnel from GWI. It is hypothesized that GWI veterans with higher levels and more exposures to AChE inhibiting pesticides and low-level nerve agents will show lower brain white matter volumes on MRI, report more health symptoms and perform less well on cognitive testing than less exposed veterans. Each participant will undergo a structural brain MRI, a brief neuropsychological screening battery and a clinical interview. They will also complete a current health symptom questionnaire. This follow-up neuroimaging study will evaluate the combination of exposures to AChE inhibitors as factors in the expression of GWI veterans' continued health symptoms. Knowledge of these relationships will be useful in identifying objective indicators of pathology that distinguish ill from healthy veterans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501573
Entities
People
- Kimberly Sullivan
Organizations
- Boston University