Events Calendar

11 Aug
Omar Tahtamooni Dissertation Defense
Event Type

Defenses

Target Audience

Staff, Graduate Students, Postdocs, Faculty

University Unit
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
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Omar Tahtamooni Dissertation Defense

This is a past event.

Title: The Association between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure and Cognitive Performance in the United States Older Adults

Abstract: 

Background: Studies have examined different environmental factors that may contribute in developing cognitive decline in older adults. The association between air pollutants, such as particulate matters (PM) and ozone (O3) and the risk of cognitive impairment among different age groups was deeply investigated. However, limited studies have examined the association between specific components of air pollutants, such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cognitive performance (CP) risk among older adults. 

Objectives of the current study was to examine the association between PAH biomarkers and CP in older adults, as well as to determine if the association between PAH and CP scores differs by individual socioeconomic status and ethnicity. 

Methods: Data from 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to examine the relationship between PAH metabolites and CP, after adjusting for different covariates. Data analysis included about 3000+ participants aged 60 years and over. 

Results: A significant negative association was found between PAH exposure and CP (p<0.001). For each increase in one unit in log-transformed PAH metabolite levels, all cognitive tests, including digit symbol substitution test (DSST), delayed word recall test (DWR), word list learning (WL), and animal fluency (AF) scores were lower almost in all models. 

Conclusion: Higher exposures to PAH were associated with lower CP among males, Blacks, Hispanics, individuals with lower education level, individuals with low income, and smokers. DSST was the most sensitive test of detecting the CP among older adults. Additionally, Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene had a strong negative association with CP in older adults.

Public Health Impact: PAH exposure is a significant public health concern that affects many countries and cause tremendous negative health outcomes. Studies have shown that exposure to PAH is linked to cognitive decline in older adults. The effects of PAH not only increase the risk of metabolic syndrome but may also cause mental health problems that can result in subsequent Alzheimer, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, recognizing the impact of PAH exposure will provide evidence for possible new interventions to combat and mitigate air pollution resources.  

Dial-In Information

Please email bms85@pitt.edu for Zoom link and password. 

Wednesday, August 11 at 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

Omar Tahtamooni Dissertation Defense

Title: The Association between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure and Cognitive Performance in the United States Older Adults

Abstract: 

Background: Studies have examined different environmental factors that may contribute in developing cognitive decline in older adults. The association between air pollutants, such as particulate matters (PM) and ozone (O3) and the risk of cognitive impairment among different age groups was deeply investigated. However, limited studies have examined the association between specific components of air pollutants, such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and cognitive performance (CP) risk among older adults. 

Objectives of the current study was to examine the association between PAH biomarkers and CP in older adults, as well as to determine if the association between PAH and CP scores differs by individual socioeconomic status and ethnicity. 

Methods: Data from 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to examine the relationship between PAH metabolites and CP, after adjusting for different covariates. Data analysis included about 3000+ participants aged 60 years and over. 

Results: A significant negative association was found between PAH exposure and CP (p<0.001). For each increase in one unit in log-transformed PAH metabolite levels, all cognitive tests, including digit symbol substitution test (DSST), delayed word recall test (DWR), word list learning (WL), and animal fluency (AF) scores were lower almost in all models. 

Conclusion: Higher exposures to PAH were associated with lower CP among males, Blacks, Hispanics, individuals with lower education level, individuals with low income, and smokers. DSST was the most sensitive test of detecting the CP among older adults. Additionally, Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene had a strong negative association with CP in older adults.

Public Health Impact: PAH exposure is a significant public health concern that affects many countries and cause tremendous negative health outcomes. Studies have shown that exposure to PAH is linked to cognitive decline in older adults. The effects of PAH not only increase the risk of metabolic syndrome but may also cause mental health problems that can result in subsequent Alzheimer, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, recognizing the impact of PAH exposure will provide evidence for possible new interventions to combat and mitigate air pollution resources.  

Dial-In Information

Please email bms85@pitt.edu for Zoom link and password. 

Wednesday, August 11 at 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

Event Type

Defenses

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