Researchers have shed light on a possible connection between the air we breathe and the health of our brains, specifically in relation to Alzheimer's disease, unveiling worrying insights.
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Traffic-related air pollution
The team published their findings in the peer-reviewed science journal Neurology. They focused their study on how exposure to traffic-related air pollution might be linked to the presence of harmful amyloid plaques in the brain after death.
Air pollution, especially fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, is a concern in many cities around the world. These tiny particles, smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, can come from various sources, including vehicle emissions. The study focused on individuals near the US city of Atlanta, analyzing their exposure to this pollution and its potential impact on their brain health.
Related article: What is the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia? (Universal-Sci)
The study
The study involved examining brain tissues from 224 people who had donated their brains for dementia research. By comparing the participants' pollution exposure to the signs of Alzheimer's in their brains, researchers found a significant pattern: those exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 pollution near the time of their death showed more amyloid plaques.
Interestingly, the research also considered genetics. It looked at whether the presence of the APOE e4 gene variant, which is associated with Alzheimer's, influenced the relationship between pollution exposure and the disease's signs in the brain.
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Worrying results
Findings suggest that air pollution might be a more significant factor for those without this genetic predisposition, indicating that environmental factors play a crucial role in the disease's development.
However, there are some limitations to the study. For example, it mainly involved white, highly educated individuals, and only their last known addresses were used to estimate pollution exposure. This means the findings might not apply to everyone.
In addition, it is important to clarify that the study revealed an association between higher levels of pollution exposure and an increased presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark of Alzheimer's. Not that air pollution directly causes Alzheimer's disease.
Related article Does living near a busy road increase your risk of developing Dementia? (Universal-Sci)
For those interested in learning more about Alzheimer's and dementia, resources are available at BrainandLife.org, a platform provided by the American Academy of Neurology.
This study, like many others, contributes to our growing understanding of how our environment impacts our health, particularly our brain health, and underscores the importance of addressing pollution not just for the planet's sake, but for our well-being too.
Be sure to check out the publication in Neurology (listed below this article) for further details about the study.
Sources and further reading:
Why Brushing Your Teeth Regularly May Help Prevent Alzheimer's and Certain Other Brain Diseases (Universal-Sci)
People living in rural areas may be at lower risk of Alzheimer's disease (Universal-Sci)
Does living near a busy road increase your risk of developing Dementia? (Universal-Sci)
What is the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia? (Universal-Sci)
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