Date of Award

1-1-2014

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Program

Epidemiology

Content Description

1 online resource (xii, 203 pages) : illustrations (some color)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Edward F Fitzgerald

Committee Members

Michael S Bloom, Recai Yucel, Richard F Seegal

Keywords

Neuropsychological function, Perfluorinated compounds, Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Thyroid function, Perfluorooctanoic acid, Thyroid gland, Organofluorine compounds, Behavioral toxicology, Neuropsychological tests

Subject Categories

Environmental Health | Epidemiology | Public Health

Abstract

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are widespread in the environment. Minimal data exist regarding the neurotoxicity and thyroid disruptive property of PFCs in aging populations and the possible mediating effects of thyroid hormones (THs). In this study, we assessed associations among PFCs, thyroid function, and neuropsychological status, and determined if the neurotoxic effects of PFCs are mediated by changes in THs in an aging population. We measured perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (T4), free T4 (fT4), and total triiodothyronine (T3) in serum and performed neuropsychological tests in men and women aged 55-74 years and living in upper Hudson River communities. Multivariable linear and quantile regressions were conducted. Mediation analyses were performed to obtain thyroid-mediated, non-thyroid, and total effects of a PFC on a neuropsychological test score.

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