Abstract

ABSTRACT: To assay and profile chronic neurobehavioral impairment associated with chlordane exposure in symptomatic patients, consecutive evaluations of nine patients were done with sensitive neurophysiologic and neuropsychologic tests for neurobehavioral function. Their visual fields, balance, reaction time, blink, color discrimination, grip strength, cognitive function, recall, memory, and perceptual motor speed were tested, and mood states and frequencies of 35 symptoms were appraised. Prevalences of abnormality were compared test-by-test to predict values with confidence intervals, and mean values for the group were compared with reference values. Testing showed abnormal balance with eyes closed in 7, abnormal color discrimination in 6, verbal recall deficit in 5, and prolonged blink reflex latency, prolonged choice reaction time, and decreased Culture Fair scores in 4 each. Profile of Mood States score was elevated in 5. These observations suggest that chlordane causes protracted neurotoxicity.