Does pollution increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease?

Team researchers from Emory University (USA) conducts groundbreaking research to unravel the relationship between air pollutionespecially small particles (PM2.5), and increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

Although it is known that toxins While air pollution can negatively impact brain health, the specific effects of these substances remain a mystery.

Small particles known as PM2.5are the smallest particles present in the air, with daily diameter of only 2.5 micrometers

which is equivalent to a fraction of the thickness of a human hair. These particles are a mixture chemicalsdust, soot and metals can come from sources such as vehicles, industry, wood burning and other human activities.

PM2.5 and link with brain:

Small particles (PM2.5)whose presence in the air has increased in many cities around the world, small enough to penetrate deep into lungs And blood flow

These particles come mainly from sources such as car traffic, industryand burning fossil fuel. Although it has been shown that long-term exposure PM2.5 associated with respiratory diseases And cardiovasculara growing number of studies suggest it may also affect brain health, contributing to the development of disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

A new study aims to address one of the greatest unknowns in investigation on environmental health and neurobiology: how exactly are small particles PM2.5 influence brain and what biological mechanisms are involved?

Improved models for understanding pollution impacts

Team investigation at Emory, along with researchers from the University of California, Davis, the University of British Columbia, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, have teamed up to create an interdisciplinary approach to unravel the biological mechanisms linking pollution

air with risk dementia.

“Our target is to understand not only the direct impact of pollution on brainbut also underlying biological factors that may contribute to increased risk neurodegenerative diseases,

said Donghai Liang, assistant professor of environmental health and co-principal investigator of the study.

The study also includes the use of advanced models to measure impact PM2.5 participants according to their geographical location. This will allow researchers to assign accurate exposure estimates to each individual, taking into account exposure variability. pollution air at the local level.

Models air pollution will be used to construct exposure trajectories over time, allowing exposure levels to be correlated. PM2.5 with changes to cognitive function And brain tissue.

The researchers hope that the results of this study will provide valuable information about environmental factors which influence the development of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. This information may be critical for the development of future intervention and prevention strategies.

According to Liang, identifying specific components PM2.5 which are more harmful to brain could be the first step toward creating public policies that reduce exposure to these pollutants and protect the environment. cognitive health future generations.

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