A year is enough. Brain changes can be irreversible.
- PM2.5 dust from transport, factories and forest fires can penetrate the blood and harm the brain
- A study of 602 people showed that high PM2.5 concentrations increase the risk of changes typical of Alzheimer's disease by 19 percent.
- Those exposed were more likely to experience faster memory loss, speech problems, and earlier symptoms of dementia.
- Scientists emphasize the need to reduce pollution and further research on the impact of the environment on the brain
"This study shows that air pollution not only increases the risk of dementia but also worsens the course of Alzheimer's disease overall. As scientists search for new treatments, it is important to uncover all the factors contributing to this disease, including the impact of the environment in which we live," commented study co-author Dr. Edward Lee from the University of Pennsylvania (USA).
Airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) is emitted by forest fires, factory combustion, and vehicle fuel combustion. PM2.5 particulate matter, or particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, is small enough that after entering the lungs, it can enter the bloodstream through inhaled air, negatively impacting various tissues and organs. Previous studies have linked PM2.5 air pollution to dementia and accelerated cognitive decline.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania (USA) analyzed brain samples collected during autopsies from 602 individuals, including patients with the most common forms of dementia and older adults without dementia who served as controls. Using data from satellites and local air quality monitoring, the researchers modeled how PM2.5 concentrations changed depending on a person's place of residence.
It turned out that people exposed to higher concentrations of PM2.5 before death were 19 percent more likely to develop more advanced pathological changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease, including deposits of toxic proteins—beta-amyloid and tau protein.
Moreover, after analyzing the patients' medical records, the researchers found that people living in areas with high PM2.5 concentrations and having advanced pathological changes in the brain (determined post-mortem) had greater cognitive impairment and a faster onset of dementia symptoms compared to people living in areas with lower air pollution concentrations.
These included symptoms such as:
- faster memory loss,
- difficulty speaking,
- poorer assessment of the situation,
- problems with self-care.
“Even just one year of living in an area with high levels of air pollution can have a big impact on the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” commented Dr. Lee.
He said these results confirm the importance of environmental justice efforts that focus on reducing air pollution to improve public health.
The authors note that their study focused on patients' exposure to PM2.5 at their place of residence, but was unable to account for their individual exposure to other pollutants, such as tobacco smoke at home or hazardous chemicals at work. Therefore, further research on this topic is necessary.
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