Abstract
Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurological disorder. Its etiology and pathogenesis are not well understood and several environmental factors (i.e., toxicants) have been studied. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are potent tremor-producing chemicals. These pervasive environmental contaminants have been linked with other tremor disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease) but they have not been assessed in ET cases. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that ET is associated with OCP exposure. Serum OCP concentrations and lifetime occupational histories were assessed in ET cases and control subjects. Six serum OCP concentrations (p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT, β-hexachlorocyclo-hexane, oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, and dieldrin) were assessed. Data from a lifetime occupational history were reviewed by a blinded industrial hygienist. The six serum OCP concentrations were similar in 136 ET cases and 144 control subjects. There was no association in ET cases between the six serum OCP concentrations and total tremor score. Three (2.2%) ET cases versus 9 (6.3%) controls had past occupational exposure to OCPs (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.09-1.28, p = 0.10). Although OCPs have been associated with other tremor disorders, we were not able to find an association between the six most tremorogenic OCPs and ET. Our data suggest that these tremor-producing chemicals are not of major etiological importance in our patients with ET.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 579-586 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | NeuroToxicology |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 1 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Epidemiology
- Essential tremor
- Etiology
- Pesticides
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
- Toxicology
Cite this
Organochlorine pesticide exposure in essential tremor : A case-control study using biological and occupational exposure assessments. / Louis, Elan D.; Factor-Litvak, Pam; Parides, Michael K.; Andrews, Leslie; Santella, Regina M.; Wolff, Mary S.
In: NeuroToxicology, Vol. 27, No. 4, 01.07.2006, p. 579-586.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Organochlorine pesticide exposure in essential tremor
T2 - A case-control study using biological and occupational exposure assessments
AU - Louis, Elan D.
AU - Factor-Litvak, Pam
AU - Parides, Michael K.
AU - Andrews, Leslie
AU - Santella, Regina M.
AU - Wolff, Mary S.
PY - 2006/7/1
Y1 - 2006/7/1
N2 - Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurological disorder. Its etiology and pathogenesis are not well understood and several environmental factors (i.e., toxicants) have been studied. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are potent tremor-producing chemicals. These pervasive environmental contaminants have been linked with other tremor disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease) but they have not been assessed in ET cases. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that ET is associated with OCP exposure. Serum OCP concentrations and lifetime occupational histories were assessed in ET cases and control subjects. Six serum OCP concentrations (p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT, β-hexachlorocyclo-hexane, oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, and dieldrin) were assessed. Data from a lifetime occupational history were reviewed by a blinded industrial hygienist. The six serum OCP concentrations were similar in 136 ET cases and 144 control subjects. There was no association in ET cases between the six serum OCP concentrations and total tremor score. Three (2.2%) ET cases versus 9 (6.3%) controls had past occupational exposure to OCPs (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.09-1.28, p = 0.10). Although OCPs have been associated with other tremor disorders, we were not able to find an association between the six most tremorogenic OCPs and ET. Our data suggest that these tremor-producing chemicals are not of major etiological importance in our patients with ET.
AB - Essential tremor (ET) is a common neurological disorder. Its etiology and pathogenesis are not well understood and several environmental factors (i.e., toxicants) have been studied. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are potent tremor-producing chemicals. These pervasive environmental contaminants have been linked with other tremor disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease) but they have not been assessed in ET cases. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that ET is associated with OCP exposure. Serum OCP concentrations and lifetime occupational histories were assessed in ET cases and control subjects. Six serum OCP concentrations (p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT, β-hexachlorocyclo-hexane, oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, and dieldrin) were assessed. Data from a lifetime occupational history were reviewed by a blinded industrial hygienist. The six serum OCP concentrations were similar in 136 ET cases and 144 control subjects. There was no association in ET cases between the six serum OCP concentrations and total tremor score. Three (2.2%) ET cases versus 9 (6.3%) controls had past occupational exposure to OCPs (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.09-1.28, p = 0.10). Although OCPs have been associated with other tremor disorders, we were not able to find an association between the six most tremorogenic OCPs and ET. Our data suggest that these tremor-producing chemicals are not of major etiological importance in our patients with ET.
KW - Epidemiology
KW - Essential tremor
KW - Etiology
KW - Pesticides
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33744993421&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33744993421&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.neuro.2006.03.005
DO - 10.1016/j.neuro.2006.03.005
M3 - Article
VL - 27
SP - 579
EP - 586
JO - NeuroToxicology
JF - NeuroToxicology
SN - 0161-813X
IS - 4
ER -