A recent study conducted by Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, has revealed a significant link between traffic-related air pollution and severe forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, even among individuals without genetic predispositions.
The research focused on the impact of exposure to delicate particulate matter (PM2.5), which is prevalent in urban areas and originates primarily from vehicle emissions. PM2.5 particles, being extremely small, can penetrate deep tissues and cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially leading to the accumulation of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s.
The study examined brain tissues from 224 individuals, most diagnosed with dementia, who had lived in areas with high levels of traffic-related PM2.5. It found a clear correlation between higher exposure to this pollution and increased Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology. This adds to the growing body of evidence that air pollution from traffic not only contributes to respiratory diseases and climate change but may also be a critical factor in the development of dementia. The findings underscore the urgent need for measures to reduce traffic pollution, particularly in densely populated urban environments. Read More
News Credit: Guardian Environment
Picture Credit: Antonio Olmos/The Observer