Mental abilities

In this interview Katy shares her view that chemical exposures can lead to an inability to tolerate stress, to loss of mental functioning, to fear and to violence. Since I met with her, two studies have been published that validate her remarks. One, a University of Wis-consin-Madison study published in the journal Toxicology and Industrial Health, January-March 1999, found that the pesticide-fertilizer mixtures commonly found in groundwater can affect patterns of aggression and the ability to learn, and causes hormone disruptions that increase sensitivity to stimuli, irritability and immune dysfunction. A University of Arizona study published by Environmental Health Perspectives in June 1998 showed a decrease in mental ability and an increase in aggressive behavior among children exposed to pesticides. 

We are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of diet and nutrition in reducing the risk of cancer. From a toxicological perspective, it is important to reduce exposure to agents that increase the risk of cancer. Cancer, like declining physical and mental ability, is related to old age and may even be a natural consequence of... 

In murder cases, high blood levels of cocaine or metabolites have sometimes served to argue on the defendant s behalf. If a murdered person was shown to have used cocaine, the defendant could argue that the killing was done in self-defense. If the defendant was the one who had used cocaine, the defense attorneys could argue that the defendant did not have the mental ability to form intent for murder. 

Alzheimer s disease is associated with the loss of nerve cells in areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, that are vital to memory and other mental abilities (Hardy and Selkoe, 2002 St George-Hyslop and Petit, 2005). Hence, cognitive impairments that worsen over time are major disabilities of AD. Two classes of drugs are currently used to treat patients... 

BD and other forms of NCL are relatively rare, occurring in an estimated two to four of every 100,000 live births in the US [www.ninds.nih.gov]. There is currently no specific treatment for BD and current therapy simply alleviates the symptoms of the disease. Anticonvulsant drugs alleviate the associated seizures, and occupational therapy helps individuals compensate for the loss of vision, physical and mental abilities. Because BD involves the deterioration of neuronal cell tissue, it is a candidate for cellular therapy. 

Another example is lead poisoning wherein acute toxicity symptoms are seen in the Gl tract. Chronic toxicity causes damage to blood cell formation and musculature and subtle decreases in mental ability. (See ASIDE 1) Frequent exposure to large doses can show both types of effects -this is called subacute. 

Hosovski E, Mastelica Z, Sunderic D, et al. 1990. Mental abilities of workers exposed to aluminum. Med Lav 81 119-123. 

Reduced Attribute This side effect reduces a random ability score by ld4 for its duration. If a physical ability is reduced below zero, the character dies, as normal for ability damage. If a mental ability is reduced below zero, the character suffers a total nervous breakdown and goes permanently insane in a manner decided by the GM. 

Effects Euphoria and hallucinations. Vincamine improves mental ability in cerebrovascular disorders. 

Support for the evaluation of the non-technical make up of a candidate is very commonly sought by carrying out some form of psychometric tests on the candidates. Psychometric tests are designed to assess either ability (cognitive tests) or personality characteristics and there are three basic types ones to assess a specific ability, e.g. numeracy, verbal and spatial perception ones to test general mental ability, e.g. an-... 

Symptoms of lead poisoning include tiredness and lack of mental abilities, which could certainly have interfered with Roman leadership and might have caused the fall of the Roman Empire. 

Non-specific damage to nervous system, kidneys and immune system. In children, can cause decrease mental ability and reduced growth. In adults, can cause a decrease in reaction time and affect memory, miscarriage, premature births and damage to male... 

On the basis of its review of human and experimental animal health-effects and related data, the subcommittee concludes that the Navy s proposed SEAL 2 of 75 ppm for ammonia is too conservative. The subcommittee recommends a SEAL 2 of 125 ppm. This value is based on a controlled human study in which volunteers exposed to ammonia at 140 ppm experienced severe throat irritation and left the exposure chamber within 1.25 h, while volunteers exposed at 110 ppm reported eye and throat irritation but did not leave the exposure chamber for the duration of the experiment (2 h) (Verberk 1977). Ferguson et al. (1977) observed only transient irritation of the eyes and throat after extended exposures (2-6 h/d, 5 d/wk for 110 ppm), and there was no evidence that such exposure caused decreased pulmonary function or affected mental ability. The crew of a disabled submarine should be able to tolerate the irritant effects from exposure to ammonia at concentrations below 125 ppm for up to 24 h. 

Metallic mercury was widely used in early experiments in alchemy, and more recently in scientific instruments such as barometers which use has continued until this day. Consequently scientists have been at risk from both the acute and the chronic effects of exposure to mercury vapour. The metal vaporizes very readily at room temperature and can be absorbed through the lungs by inhalation. The effects include loss of memory and appetite, insomnia, depression, and paranoia. All of these symptoms were suffered by the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton, and indeed his hair has been found to contain significant amounts of mercury. Despite this he lived to the age of 85 and his mental abilities were hardly in doubt Bleeding from the gums and gastrointestinal upsets are also effects. 

It was not until Werner saw the bonding dilemma in a new light that progress could be made. It was indeed a combination of factors (personality, available data, and mental ability) that permitted Werner to advance chemical insight. 

General mental ability is a substantively significant determinant of individual differences in job performance for any job that includes information-processing tasks. If the measure of performance reflects the information processing components of the job and any of several well-developed standardized measures used to assess general mental ability, then the relationship will be found unless the sample restricts the variances in performance or mental ability... 

Jensen AR 1998 The factor the science of mental ability. Praeger, Westport, CT Jensen AR 2000 The factor psychometrics and biology. In The nature of intelligence. Wiley, Chichester (Novartis Found Symp 233) p 37—46 Jensen AR 2000 Charles Spearman the discoverer of g. In Kimble GA, Westheimer M (eds) Portraits of pioneers in psychology. Vol IV. American Psychological Association, Washington DC, and Erlbaum, NJ, in press... 

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