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Risk Factors for Brain Health in Agricultural Work: A Systematic Review

Author

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  • Emily Terese Sturm

    (Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Colton Castro

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Andrea Mendez-Colmenares

    (Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
    Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • John Duffy

    (Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Agnieszka (Aga) Z. Burzynska

    (Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
    Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Lorann Stallones

    (Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Michael L. Thomas

    (Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
    Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

Abstract

Certain exposures related to agricultural work have been associated with neurological disorders. To date, few studies have included brain health measurements to link specific risk factors with possible neural mechanisms. Moreover, a synthesis of agricultural risk factors associated with poorer brain health outcomes is missing. In this systematic review, we identified 106 articles using keywords related to agriculture, occupational exposure, and the brain. We identified seven major risk factors: non-specific factors that are associated with agricultural work itself, toluene, pesticides, heavy metal or dust exposure, work with farm animals, and nicotine exposure from plants. Of these, pesticides are the most highly studied. The majority of qualifying studies were epidemiological studies. Nigral striatal regions were the most well studied brain area impacted. Of the three human neuroimaging studies we found, two focused on functional networks and the third focused on gray matter. We identified two major directions for future studies that will help inform preventative strategies for brain health in vulnerable agricultural workers: (1) the effects of moderators such as type of work, sex, migrant status, race, and age; and (2) more comprehensive brain imaging studies, both observational and experimental, involving several imaging techniques.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Terese Sturm & Colton Castro & Andrea Mendez-Colmenares & John Duffy & Agnieszka (Aga) Z. Burzynska & Lorann Stallones & Michael L. Thomas, 2022. "Risk Factors for Brain Health in Agricultural Work: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-26, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3373-:d:770099
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kanika Arora & Lili Xu & Divya Bhagianadh & Deborah S Carr, 2021. "Dementia and Cognitive Decline in Older Adulthood: Are Agricultural Workers at Greater Risk?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(8), pages 1629-1643.
    2. Komarek, Adam M. & De Pinto, Alessandro & Smith, Vincent H., 2020. "A review of types of risks in agriculture: What we know and what we need to know," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    3. Krassi Rumchev & Suzanne Gilbey & Ryan Mead-Hunter & Linda Selvey & Kevin Netto & Ben Mullins, 2019. "Agricultural Dust Exposures and Health and Safety Practices among Western Australian Wheatbelt Farmers during Harvest," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Kari M. Bail & Jennifer Foster & Safiya George Dalmida & Ursula Kelly & Maeve Howett & Erin P. Ferranti & Judith Wold, 2012. "The Impact of Invisibility on the Health of Migrant Farmworkers in the Southeastern United States: A Case Study from Georgia," Nursing Research and Practice, Hindawi, vol. 2012, pages 1-8, July.
    5. Nufail Khan & Alison Kennedy & Jacqueline Cotton & Susan Brumby, 2019. "A Pest to Mental Health? Exploring the Link between Exposure to Agrichemicals in Farmers and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-20, April.
    6. Marta Borgi & Mario Marcolin & Paolo Tomasin & Cinzia Correale & Aldina Venerosi & Alberto Grizzo & Roberto Orlich & Francesca Cirulli, 2019. "Nature-Based Interventions for Mental Health Care: Social Network Analysis as a Tool to Map Social Farms and their Response to Social Inclusion and Community Engagement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-14, September.
    7. Linda Steinhübel & Stephan von Cramon-Taubadel, 2021. "Somewhere in between Towns, Markets and Jobs – Agricultural Intensification in the Rural–Urban Interface," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(4), pages 669-694, April.
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