Skip to main content

Table 11 Neurological / neurobehavioural assessment

From: Health consequences of exposure to aircraft contaminated air and fume events: a narrative review and medical protocol for the investigation of exposed aircrew and passengers

Immediate post-flight/event

 • Full general medical assessment.

 • Detailed neurological assessment and examination.

 • Objective assessment of vestibular function.

 • MRI brain scan.

 • Consider referral to a neurologist for severe neurological symptoms and signs.

Late/subsequent

If symptoms persist over weeks or months:

 • Full general medical assessment.

 • Detailed neurological assessment and examination.

 • Objective assessment of vestibular function.

 • MRI – Refer to methodology in [132].

 • PET / SPECT – Refer to methodology in [117].

 • EMG / ENG—polyneuropathy;

 • Skin biopsy / IENF (intraepidermal nerve fibres) – Small fibre neuropathy (Lauria et al. 2010)a.

Neurocognitive/ Neurobehavioural

Neurocognitive tests that are deemed applicable include the following areas:

 • Processing speed, written and oral.

 • Attention and concentration.

 • Reaction time to stimuli.

 • Sequential reaction time.

 • Complex problem solving.

 • Short and long term visual and verbal memory.

 • Cognitive flexibility / capacity to change direction.

Neurocognitive testing:

 • Coding test from WAIS.

 • Symbol Digit Modalities Test (written and oral versions), see Section 1B.

 • CALCAP – Simple and choice reaction time tests.

  1. Note: All tests should be able to be administered by medical personnel
  2. aLauria G, et al. European Journal of Neurology. 2010; 17: 903–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03023.x