Lead May Speed Up Mental Decline of Aging

Lead exposure throughout life could speed up the decline of brain function in old age, recent research suggests. A 2006 study enrolled 1,000 adults, ages 50 to 70. They grew up when gasoline still contained lead. Researchers tested shinbones for lead. People also took tests of mental ability. Those with higher levels of lead had lower mental scores. The difference was equal to six years of aging for the highest amounts of lead. Another study, from 2004, showed more mental decline in four years among people with more lead in their bodies. The Associated Press wrote about the research January 28.