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air pollution

This shows the outline of a person, a brain and smoke stacks.

·April 7, 2025·5 min read

Air Pollution May Impair Language Skills, Brain Health

Long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter may harm cognitive health, particularly language ability, in older adults. In a new study of individuals aged 65 and over, those living in England’s most polluted areas consistently scored lower on cognitive assessments, especially in language-based tasks.

This shows a pregnant woman with a mask on.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 13, 2024·3 min read

Air Pollution Linked to Autism Risk During Developmental Stages

A new review highlights how air pollution, particularly fine particles and nitrogen oxides, can elevate autism risk by disrupting critical brain development processes. Key mechanisms, including nitrosative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter disruptions, reveal how prenatal and early childhood exposure impact neurological health. Small particles, such as PM2.5, can cross the placenta, potentially harming fetal brain development, especially for genetically predisposed individuals.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 1, 2024·5 min read

Air Pollution Linked to Poor Learning and Memory in Kids

Exposure to ammonium nitrate, a component of fine particulate pollution from agricultural emissions, is associated with reduced learning and memory in children. This type of pollution, also linked to neurodegenerative risks in adults, highlights how air quality impacts brain health across ages.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 25, 2024·6 min read

Air Pollution Linked to White Matter Changes in Children

A recent study links exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy and childhood with lasting changes in the brain's white matter microstructure, affecting cognitive development through adolescence. The research, which followed over 4,000 participants, found that pollutants like PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were associated with developmental delays in white matter integrity.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 23, 2023·4 min read

Air Pollution Exposure Linked to Parkinson’s Risk: Study Identifies U.S. Hot Spot

Exposure to air pollution has previously been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Now, researchers provide preliminary data linking air pollution to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. The new study, which considered geographical data and diagnosis rates for Parkinson's, revealed those who live in the Mississippi-Ohio River Valley are at particularly higher risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 25, 2023·6 min read

Prenatal Pollution Exposure Linked to Lower Cognitive Scores in Early Life

Maternal exposure to air pollution during mid-to-late pregnancy was associated with lower scores on tests of cognition, language, and motor skills in children at the age of two.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 24, 2023·4 min read

Even Brief Exposure to Air Pollution Has Rapid Impacts on the Brain

Common levels of pollution from traffic can impair brain function within a matter of hours, a new study reports. Just two hours of exposure to diesel exhaust impairs functional connectivity in the brain.

This shows smoke stacks overlayed with a child's eyes

Featured Neuroscience

·September 23, 2022·3 min read

An Association Between Exposure to Air Pollution in the First 5 Years of Life and Alterations in Brain Structure

Assessing a child's exposure to air pollution on a monthly basis from conception to the age of 8.5, researchers found the greater the exposure to air pollution before the age of 5, the greater the alteration in brain structure by preadolescence.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 3, 2022·6 min read

Air Pollution and Stress Alter Brain Development and Social Behavior

Air pollution along with housing insecurity and stress during pregnancy leads to an increased risk of autism-like social behaviors and differences in neural anatomy in male mice offspring. Researchers believe the changes could be due to the immune system.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 20, 2022·2 min read

Inhaled Toxic Particles Take Direct Route From Lungs to Brain

Inhaling air pollution could result in toxic particles being transported from the lungs to the brain via the bloodstream, ultimately resulting in neurological damage.

This shows a depressed teen sitting next to a wall

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 14, 2022·4 min read

Air Pollution Linked to Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents

An increase in depressive symptoms in adolescence has been linked to ozone exposure as a result of air pollution, even in areas that meet air quality standards.

This shows a drawing of a baby and a placenta

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 11, 2022·4 min read

Air Pollution Can Harm Pregnancy by Affecting Gene Expression in the Placenta

Study reveals significant changes in the expression of multiple genes in the placenta associated with exposure to UFP air pollution. Additionally, researchers reported noticeable reductions in fetal and placental length, and fetal weight in those with low dose UFP exposure.