The smoke in the brain: the dirty air accelerates the low Alzheimer’s disease

“This study shows that air pollution not only increases the risk of dementia-it actually makes Alzheimer’s disease worse,” said Edward Lee, PhD, PhD, co-director of the Pennsylvania Institute of Grakha. “As researchers continue to search for new treatments, it is important to detect all factors that contribute to the disease, including the effect of the environment in which they live.”

Health risks from small air molecules

Air pollution consists of microscopic particles, or small, inhaled particles, ranging from 10 micrometers to less than 2.5 ومر m, about half of the width of one strand of the spider network. It can come from wild smoke, car exhaust, construction site or combustion debris. Partitions Article 2.5 micrometer and smaller (pm_2.5It is so small that when inhaled, molecules can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause health concerns. The previous research has linked the air pollution that contains the Prime Minister_2.5 With dementia, loss of cognitive function, accelerated cognitive decrease.

Researchers examined brain samples from more than 600 dissects from Pennsylvania Medicine Bank. Using data from satellites and local air quality screens, the researchers designed the amount of pm_2.5 In the air, based on the place where everyone lives. They found that every increase in a microgram per cubic meter from PM_2.5The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease has increased the worst of Alzheimer’s and Tau accumulation by 19 percent.

Moreover, when they examined the clinical records of these individuals, the researchers found that those who live in areas with high concentrations of PM_2.5 With advanced pathology, he had more cognitive weakness and a faster symptom, including memory loss, difficulty, and decreasing judgment, compared to people who lived in areas with low air pollution concentrations.

While this study focused on the exposure to PM_2.5 Based on the geographical location, researchers will not be able to calculate the individual exposure to air pollution, such as exposure to indirect smoke at home, or working with chemicals that are likely to be dangerous.

“In the United States, air pollution will be at the lowest decades in decades, but even one year in a high -level area of ​​pollution can have a significant impact on a person’s danger to the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” he told me. “It emphasizes the value of environmental justice efforts that focus on reducing air pollution to improve public health.”

This research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute for Environmental Health (P3072979, P01ag06597, U19ag062418, P01ag084497, and P3013508).