Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase polymorphism and the relation between low level lead exposure and the Mini-Mental Status Examination in older men: the Normative Aging Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine whether a polymorphism the in delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) gene modifies the neurotoxicity of lead in older adults.

Methods

The authors studied men participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs' Normative Aging Study, assessing their recent exposure to lead by measuring blood lead (n = 915) at each triennial clinic visit, and, beginning in 1991, assessing their cumulative exposure by measuring lead levels in tibia (n = 722) and patella (n = 720), using K-shell x ray fluorescence. Starting in 1993 and again at each triennial visit, the authors administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to assess their cognitive functioning. The relation of the lead biomarkers to MMSE score was evaluated and this association was compared

SUBMITTER: Weuve J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2077996 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature