Perfluoroalkyl substances, thyroid hormones, and neuropsychological status in older adults

Abstract

Minimal data exist regarding the neurotoxicity of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aging populations and the possible mediating effects of thyroid hormones (THs). Hence, the aims of this study were to: (i) assess associations between PFASs and neuropsychological function, and (ii) determine if such associations are mediated by changes in circulating THs in an aging population. We measured perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), total thyroxine (T4) and free thyroxine (fT4) in serum and performed neuropsychological tests in 126 men and women aged 55-74 years and living in upper Hudson River communities. Multivariable linear regressions were conducted to assess associations between PFASs and neuropsychological test scores. Mediation analyses were performed in a subset of 87 participants for whom information was available on both PFASs and THs. We calculated TH-mediated, non-TH mediated, and total effects of PFASs on neuropsychological test scores. Higher PFOA was associated with better performance in tasks of the California Verbal Learning Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Higher PFOS was associated with improved performance in a Wechsler Memory Scale subtest and Block Design Subtest (BDT) total scores. There was no evidence of mediation by THs for PFOA-neuropsychological function associations. However, T4 and fT4 partially mediated the protective effect of PFOS on BDT total scores. Our findings do not suggest that PFASs are associated with poor neuropsychological function. There was some evidence of mediation for the association between PFASs and neuropsychological functions by THs, although some other modes of action also appear likely.

Keywords: Neuropsychological status; Older adults; Perfluoroalkyl substances; Thyroid hormones.