[Inclusion of psychopathologic methods for diagnosis of early neurotoxic effects from lead and organic solvent mixtures]

Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr. 1999 Oct;67(10):435-40. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-994993.
[Article in German]

Abstract

To verify occupational neurotoxic effects it will be necessary to enlist the help of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. However, no unified professional test battery exists to date. 119 healthy workers (26 lead-exposed, 45 exposed to mixed organic solvents, and 48 controls) were tested using uniformly standardised psychological and psychiatric methods. Long-term lead-exposed employees showed an increased number of psychoneurovegetative symptoms and deficits in attention performance according to the results of the Seeber-PNF and the Brickenkamp-d2-tests. There was no difference between the control group and persons exposed to the organic solvents test. Many parameters correlated to the dose of the toxic agent in the lead-exposed group. SCL-90-R, AMDP, and HAMD merely hinted at differences between the exposed subjects and the controls. Psychological and pathopsychological methods are necessary but will not suffice to detect early effects after long-term exposure to lead or organic solvents.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lead Poisoning, Nervous System / diagnosis*
  • Lead Poisoning, Nervous System / psychology*
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / psychology*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Solvents / poisoning*

Substances

  • Solvents