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Aluminum exposure and cognitive performance: A meta-analysis.
Thomas Vlasak1, Tanja Dujlovic1, Alfred Barth1
1Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud Private University Linz, Linz, Austria.
The Science of the Total Environment
|September 30, 2023
Summary
Occupational aluminum exposure impairs cognitive functions including processing speed, working memory, attention, and reaction time. Elevated blood aluminum levels predict reduced cognitive performance in exposed workers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Aluminum's industrial use is rising, but occupational exposure poses health risks.
- The link between aluminum exposure and cognitive decline, including neurodegenerative diseases, is debated.
- Understanding aluminum's neurotoxic effects is crucial for worker safety.
Approach:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed until June 2023.
- 18 studies with 87 effect sizes on aluminum exposure and cognitive functions were meta-analyzed.
- Meta-regressions explored publication bias, moderators, and exposure-effect relationships.
Key Points:
- Workers exposed to aluminum showed significantly worse performance in processing speed, working memory, attention, and reaction time.
- Increased blood plasma aluminum levels were a significant predictor of decreased cognitive performance.
- Seven cognitive functions were assessed across the included studies.
Conclusions:
- Occupational aluminum exposure negatively impacts key cognitive functions.
- Blood aluminum levels are a significant biomarker for cognitive performance deficits.
- Findings inform occupational health strategies and the discourse on aluminum's role in neurodegeneration.
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