A study on the effect of lead on event-related potentials among lead-exposed workers

Abstract

Objectives: In order to clarify the effect of lead on higher cerebral functions, lead-exposed workers (Pb group) and controls were examined for event-related potentials. Subjects and Methods: Fourteen lead-exposed workers with a mean age of 57.1 yr (SD=4.27, range 48-64; lead concentration of whole blood ranged from 33 to 106 μg/dl with a mean of 58.6 and SD 28.6 μg/dl) and 19 age-matched control workers with a mean age of 57.3 yr (SD=4.80, range 48-65) were examined. Visual P300 was recorded by button pushing to the target image (minute checkerboard pattern, 20%), and the NO-GO potential by no button pushing to the target image (same as above, 50%). Results: Latencies of P300 in the Pb group (475 ± 46.0 ms) were significantly delayed compared with those in controls (407 ± 42.4 ms, p<0.01 by Student's t test). Amplitudes of the NO-GO potential in the Pb group (4.59 ± 2.04 μV) significantly increased compared with those in the controls (3.18 ± 1.41 μV, p<0.05). Conclusion: The finding suggests that lead exposure affects high cerebral functions of cognition and attention, but is unclear in suppression of movement.