K. Tetzlaff et al., Magnetic resonance signal abnormalities and neuropsychological deficits inelderly compressed-air divers, EUR NEUROL, 42(4), 1999, pp. 194-199
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.