Magnetic resonance signal abnormalities and neuropsychological deficits inelderly compressed-air divers

We investigated the association between MR signal abnormalities of the cent ral nervous system, neuropsychologic performance and exposure indices in 20 experienced elderly compressed-air divers who had no history of neurologic al decompression illness (DCI), Results of MRI of the brain and psychometri c testing were compared with 20 matched healthy commercial employees who ne ver dived: 60% of the divers and 45% of the controls had hyperintense MR ab normalities. Among divers, both the number and the size of abnormalities co rrelated with hours diving in the deep air-diving range of 40-60 m (p < 0.0 5). Divers' mental flexibility and visual tracking performance were decreas ed in comparison with controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Divers thus are at risk of detrimental long-term effects of compressed-air diving on the centr al nervous system even in the absence of a history of neurological DCI. Cop yright (C) 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel.