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A Case -Controlled Study of the Neuropsychological and Psychiatric Functioning in sheep farmers exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides-Phase II of VM02126 - VM02302
Description
Work Plan & Primary Milestones

Milestone Target date Activity
Month 1-3 01/02/06 – 31/04/06 Training of Research Assistants. Purchase of necessary equipment. Establish a base and relocate Research Assistants in South West & North of England. Identify suitable control groups.
Month 4 01/05/06 Clinical examinations begin in both the South West & North of England and last for 18 months.
Month 12 31/01/07 50% study participants assessed. Tests to be scored shortly after each examination and entered on to a database.
Month 21 31/10/07 100% study participants assessed and data entered on to database. Literature review completed and written up.
Month 22 01/11/07 Final analysis of data and preparation of reports (3 months)
Month 24 31/01/08 Study ends
Objective
Study Objectives
This study seeks to determine whether low level exposure to OPs causes disabling neuropsychological and / or psychiatric disorder in a small subgroup of farm workers. This study has three objectives:

Objective 1 : To establish whether farm workers with a history of low level exposure to OP’s (insufficient to cause acute intoxication) show evidence of physical disease, cognitive impairment and / or mood disorder.

Objective 2 : To determine the nature and severity of physical symptoms, neuropsychological abnormalities and psychiatric disorder in farm workers with a history of low level exposure to OP’s. Two Groups of farmers will be recruited (1) farmers who have retired from work on ill health grounds and (2) working farmers. Both groups will be matched for age, sex, years in education, premorbid IQ and alcohol use. These two groups will be compared with each other and with a matched control group who do not have a history of exposure to OPs. Similarities and differences between the groups will be investigated to determine whether those individuals with a history of exposure to OPs show a distinctive symptom profile.

Objective 3 : To investigate whether background factors (e.g. psychological profile, medical history or exposure history) render some individuals particularly vulnerable to the effects of OPs.

Objectives 1-3 are interdependent. Objective 2&3 can only be achieved if objective 1 is successfully completed.
Project Documents
• Final Report : Neuropsychological and Psychiatric Functioning in Sheep Farmers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides - final report   (927k)
• Final Report - Annex : Neuropsychological and Psychiatric Functioning in Sheep Farmers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides - Exposure questionnaire Annex   (275k)
• Final Report - Annex : Neuropsychological and Psychiatric Functioning in Sheep Farmers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides - Physical Health Questionnaire annex   (202k)
• Final Report - SID5A : Neuropsychological and Psychiatric Functioning in Sheep Farmers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides - SID5   (863k)
• General : Neuropsychological and Psychiatric Functioning in Sheep Farmers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides - Contractors Additional Analyses   (341k)
Time-Scale and Cost
From: 2006

To: 2008

Cost: £488,384
Contractor / Funded Organisations
University - London - University College
Keywords
Animal Health              
Organophosphates              
Plants and Animals              
Sheep Dipping              
Veterinary Medicines              
Fields of Study
Animal Health
Veterinary Medicine
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