Salvatore Polizzi
Medicina Occupazionale e Ambientale, Italy
Title: Neurotoxic Effects of Aluminium and Alzheimer’s Disease: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging among retired foundry workers with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Biography
Biography: Salvatore Polizzi
Abstract
Introduction: Aluminium is a well known neurotoxic metal and in a previous study (Neurotoxicology 2002; 23:761-774) we found a probable relationship between inhalation of aluminium dusts and MCI. The present study examined SPECT in a small subgroup that accepted to perform the test.
Methods :In a cross sectional study we enrolled 29 subjects: 20 professionally exposed to Aluminium, 9 control without any known occupational exposure to the toxic metal.
We determined SPECT imaging, serum levels of Aluminium (Al-s) and Iron, blood levels of Manganese and different neurocognitive tests: Mini Mental State Examination score (MMSE-score), the time to execute the test (MMSE-Time), Clock Drawing test (CDT) and auditory event related evoked potential ERP-P300 (P300).
Results - Al-s levels in the controls were lower than 10 µg/L. (8,6 ± 1,5 µg/L) and none showed SPECT hypoperfusion.
In foundry workers, Al-s levels were significantly higher (p < 0,02) (12,9 ± 1,5 µg/L) and SPECT imaging was normal in two subjects (10%), while 18 (90%) showed some degree of cerebral hypoperfusion: 14 (70%) revealed hypoperfusion in the temporo mesial hippocampus, para hippocampal region, and frontal cortex and 4 (20%) showed hypoperfusion in the cerebral cortex.
Conclusions: Even if the small size of the studied population imposes prudence in the interpretation of the results, SPECT hypoperfusion seems to be compatible with aluminium exposure; this could be controlled implementing lifestyle/diet (physical activity, curcuma, silica enriched water) to slow the brain ageing, to reduce body burden and to chelate the metal.