Cognitive Impairment Associated with Exposure to Toxigenic Fungi

Wayne A. Gordon1, Ph.D., Eckardt Johanning2, M.D.,M.Sc. Lisa Haddad3, B.A.

1Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; 2Eckardt Johanning, M.D., Adjunct Instructor, Department of Community Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; 3Lisa Haddad, B.A., Research Assistant, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Research performed at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Correspondence: Wayne A Gordon Ph.D., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box #1240, New York, NY 10029-6574, telephone: (212) 241-7917, fax: (212) 348-5901

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine whether cognitive impairment was associated with exposure to Stachybotrys atra. 20 individuals were examined using a standard neuropsychological battery and a symptom checklist. Results indicate that all individuals seen meet at least 1 of the criteria for a cognitive impairment, with 13 of the 20 (65%) meeting at least 3 of the criteria for cognitive impairment. Preliminary findings suggest that exposure to toxigenic molds are associated with cognitive impairment, specifically deficits in verbal memory, verbal learning, attention/concentration and set shifting. In addition to these cognitive deficits, the sample reported a high number of cognitive, physical and behavioral symptoms. Validation on a larger sample of individuals is indicated.

Key words: Cognitive impairment, neurotoxic molds, memory, learning, intelligence, Stachybotrys atra

 

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