The results of this study indicate that working in an occupation with high or medium-high magnetic field exposure may increase the risk of severe cognitive dysfunction.

PMID: 

Br J Med Med Res. 2014 Apr 16 ;4(8):1641-1662. PMID: 24839595

Abstract Title: 

Severe Cognitive Dysfunction and Occupational Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure among Elderly Mexican Americans.

Abstract: 

AIMS: This report is the first study of the possible relationship between extremely low frequency (50-60 Hz, ELF) magnetic field (MF) exposure and severe cognitive dysfunction. Earlier studies investigated the relationships between MF occupational exposure and Alzheimer's disease (AD) or dementia. These studies had mixed results, depending upon whether the diagnosis of AD or dementia was performed by experts and upon the methodology used to classify MF exposure.STUDY DESIGN: Population-based case-control.PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Neurology and Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2 years.METHODOLOGY: The study population consisted of 3050 Mexican Americans, aged 65+, enrolled in Phase 1 of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE) study. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) results, primary occupational history, and other data were collected. Severe cognitive dysfunction was defined as an MMSE score below 10. The MF exposure methodology developed and used in earlier studies was used.RESULTS: Univariate odds ratios (OR) were 3.4 (

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