Amalgam fillings and cognitive abilities in a representative sample of the elderly population.

Objectives: The ongoing controversial discussion about a possible negative effect of amalgam fillings on the cognitive abilities and the pathogenesis dementia was the objective of the present study. Sample: A total of 300 patients aged from 70 to 103 years were selected from the multidisciplinary ‘Berlin Aging Study’ (Base). The sample was heterogeneous concerning lifestyle, education and social prestige. According to their dental state subjects were allocated into three groups: edentate ≥20 years (I) and residual teeth without (II) or with (III) amalgam restorations. All groups were matched for age and gender. Design: Dental examinations and various psychiatric as well as psychological ass…