Cognitive status in persons with amalgam-related complaints

J Dent Res. 2010 Nov;89(11):1236-40. doi: 10.1177/0022034510376649. Epub 2010 Aug 25.

Abstract

Self-reported cognitive symptoms are frequent in persons with amalgam-related complaints, but few studies have focused on their cognitive function. The aim was to examine a symptom profile and whether participants with amalgam-related complaints have cognitive deficits in comparison with control individuals. We drew 342 participants with amalgam-related complaints and 342 one-to-one matched control individuals from a longitudinal population-based study. For 81 of the participants with amalgam-related complaints and controls, data were available approximately five years before the onset of complaints, making a longitudinal analysis possible. All participants were assessed by a self-reported health questionnaire and a comprehensive cognitive test battery. The participants with amalgam-related complaints reported more symptoms, mainly musculoskeletal and neuropsychological, compared with control individuals (p < 0.001). The results revealed no significant difference between the amalgam and control group, either cross-sectionally or longitudinally, for any of the cognitive tests. These results suggest that cognitive decline is not associated with amalgam-related complaints.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dental Amalgam / adverse effects*
  • Dental Restoration, Permanent / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology
  • Mercury / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Population Surveillance
  • Self-Assessment
  • Space Perception / physiology
  • Visual Perception / physiology

Substances

  • Dental Amalgam
  • Mercury