Choice (CRT) and simple reaction times (SRT) compared in laboratory technicians: Factors influencing reaction times and a predictive model

Choice reaction time (CRT) and simple reaction time (SRT) tests were administered to 151 female histology laboratory technicians to determine if occupational exposure to organic solvents and formaldehyde delayed either or both. The relationships between CRT and SRT latencies were evaluated using different testers, sequences of administration, and microcomputers. Formaldehyde exposure, cigarette smoking history, ethnicity, and alveolar CO levels did not significantly influence CRT and SRT. However, slightly different protocols did significantly affect SRT. A linear model demonstrated that logSRT (LSRT) and LogCRT (LCRT) were longer with increasing age, promising further clinical applications. It is concluded that both CRT and SRT measure some overlapping and some different neurologic pathways. Reaction times in large “normal” populations are needed to compare with groups exposed to potential neurotoxins.