Pesticides 'linked with dementia'

Long-term exposure to pesticides could cause dementia, according to new findings.

Researchers found that workers exposed to pesticides were more likely to see a drop in performance in cognitive tests.

Those with direct long-term exposure to pesticides were found to drop two points in a mental state exam compared to those not exposed.

The research, published in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal, studied over 600 vineyard workers for up to six years.

Authors said the results were "particularly striking in view of the short duration of follow-up and the relatively young age of the participants".

They added that the mild impairment observed by the study could potentially lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or other dementias.

This comes after research published in journal Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders stated that that non-drug Alzheimer's therapies are just as effective as pharmaceuticals.

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