Pesticide Exposure Linked to Increased Dementia Risk

VIENNA – Pesticide exposure might increase the risk of later dementia by as much as 70%.

“Exposure to pesticides may have long-term damaging effects on the nervous system that contribute to the development of Alzheimer's or other dementias,” Kathleen M. Hayden, Ph.D., said at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease. “We need more research to fully characterize the increased risks associated with different types of pesticides, and the duration of their use.”

Dr. Hayden of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., based her study on data from the Cache County Study of Memory, Health, and Aging. The ongoing study began in 1995, and includes 5,092 subjects, who are assessed every 3 years. The study participants were given a questionnaire that focused on pesticide exposure.

The study population was a good one for examining the impact of pesticides because, Dr. Hayden said, the subjects live in a rural area, the economy of which relies heavily on growing wheat, soybeans, apples, corn, and hay.

Dr. Hayden and her colleagues assessed the risk of new-onset dementia and Alzheimer's disease in 4,012 subjects who were free of dementia at baseline. Her logistic regression analysis was based on 6 years of follow-up, and controlled for age, sex, education, and apolipoprotein-E status.

At baseline, the subjects were a mean of 75 years old. Pesticide exposure had occurred in 19% (743). The exposed group was primarily male (89%). After 6 years of follow-up, there were 412 new cases of dementia; 85 of these subjects (21%) reported some degree of pesticide exposure on their baseline assessment.

The analysis found consistent significant relationships between new-onset dementia and exposure to both organophosphates and organochlorines. Any pesticide exposure increased the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by 56%. Exposure to organophosphate compounds increased the risk of dementia by 36% and Alzheimer's by 59%. Exposure to organochlorines increased the risk of dementia by 60% and Alzheimer's by 70%.

The study did not take into account duration or extent of exposure, and does not prove a causal link between pesticides and dementia, Dr. Hayden cautioned. But it does suggest that more study is necessary. “Some pesticides do alter the level of neurotransmitters, and their use has increased drastically in the past 50 years,” she said. “According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are more than 18,000 pesticides licensed for use in the U.S., and each year, more than 2 million pounds are applied to our crops, parks, homes, and forests.”

More than 18,000 pesticides are licensed for use in the U.S.

Source ©4loops/iStockphoto.com

VIENNA – Pesticide exposure might increase the risk of later dementia by as much as 70%.

“Exposure to pesticides may have long-term damaging effects on the nervous system that contribute to the development of Alzheimer's or other dementias,” Kathleen M. Hayden, Ph.D., said at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease. “We need more research to fully characterize the increased risks associated with different types of pesticides, and the duration of their use.”

Dr. Hayden of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., based her study on data from the Cache County Study of Memory, Health, and Aging. The ongoing study began in 1995, and includes 5,092 subjects, who are assessed every 3 years. The study participants were given a questionnaire that focused on pesticide exposure.

The study population was a good one for examining the impact of pesticides because, Dr. Hayden said, the subjects live in a rural area, the economy of which relies heavily on growing wheat, soybeans, apples, corn, and hay.

Dr. Hayden and her colleagues assessed the risk of new-onset dementia and Alzheimer's disease in 4,012 subjects who were free of dementia at baseline. Her logistic regression analysis was based on 6 years of follow-up, and controlled for age, sex, education, and apolipoprotein-E status.

At baseline, the subjects were a mean of 75 years old. Pesticide exposure had occurred in 19% (743). The exposed group was primarily male (89%). After 6 years of follow-up, there were 412 new cases of dementia; 85 of these subjects (21%) reported some degree of pesticide exposure on their baseline assessment.

The analysis found consistent significant relationships between new-onset dementia and exposure to both organophosphates and organochlorines. Any pesticide exposure increased the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by 56%. Exposure to organophosphate compounds increased the risk of dementia by 36% and Alzheimer's by 59%. Exposure to organochlorines increased the risk of dementia by 60% and Alzheimer's by 70%.

The study did not take into account duration or extent of exposure, and does not prove a causal link between pesticides and dementia, Dr. Hayden cautioned. But it does suggest that more study is necessary. “Some pesticides do alter the level of neurotransmitters, and their use has increased drastically in the past 50 years,” she said. “According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are more than 18,000 pesticides licensed for use in the U.S., and each year, more than 2 million pounds are applied to our crops, parks, homes, and forests.”

More than 18,000 pesticides are licensed for use in the U.S.

Source ©4loops/iStockphoto.com

VIENNA – Pesticide exposure might increase the risk of later dementia by as much as 70%.

“Exposure to pesticides may have long-term damaging effects on the nervous system that contribute to the development of Alzheimer's or other dementias,” Kathleen M. Hayden, Ph.D., said at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease. “We need more research to fully characterize the increased risks associated with different types of pesticides, and the duration of their use.”

Dr. Hayden of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C., based her study on data from the Cache County Study of Memory, Health, and Aging. The ongoing study began in 1995, and includes 5,092 subjects, who are assessed every 3 years. The study participants were given a questionnaire that focused on pesticide exposure.

The study population was a good one for examining the impact of pesticides because, Dr. Hayden said, the subjects live in a rural area, the economy of which relies heavily on growing wheat, soybeans, apples, corn, and hay.

Dr. Hayden and her colleagues assessed the risk of new-onset dementia and Alzheimer's disease in 4,012 subjects who were free of dementia at baseline. Her logistic regression analysis was based on 6 years of follow-up, and controlled for age, sex, education, and apolipoprotein-E status.

At baseline, the subjects were a mean of 75 years old. Pesticide exposure had occurred in 19% (743). The exposed group was primarily male (89%). After 6 years of follow-up, there were 412 new cases of dementia; 85 of these subjects (21%) reported some degree of pesticide exposure on their baseline assessment.

The analysis found consistent significant relationships between new-onset dementia and exposure to both organophosphates and organochlorines. Any pesticide exposure increased the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by 56%. Exposure to organophosphate compounds increased the risk of dementia by 36% and Alzheimer's by 59%. Exposure to organochlorines increased the risk of dementia by 60% and Alzheimer's by 70%.

The study did not take into account duration or extent of exposure, and does not prove a causal link between pesticides and dementia, Dr. Hayden cautioned. But it does suggest that more study is necessary. “Some pesticides do alter the level of neurotransmitters, and their use has increased drastically in the past 50 years,” she said. “According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are more than 18,000 pesticides licensed for use in the U.S., and each year, more than 2 million pounds are applied to our crops, parks, homes, and forests.”

More than 18,000 pesticides are licensed for use in the U.S.

Source ©4loops/iStockphoto.com