Exposure to low levels of air pollution over a decade led to changes in gene expression associated with morbidity and mortality in the longer term.
While the risks of developing depression, anxiety disorders, and psychosis are significantly higher for urban dwellers, researchers report there are some positive impacts on mental health for those who live in big cities.
Long-term air pollution exposure was associated with a higher risk of dementia. Ischemic heart disease and heart failure appeared to enhance the link between air pollution and dementia.
Children exposed to higher levels of air pollution from traffic have increased levels of myo-inositol in the brain. The increase in myo-inositol was associated with higher risk of generalized anxiety in children.
Damaged olfactory neurons as a result of air pollution may contribute to altered cerebrospinal fluid flow and turnover, acting as a potential mechanism for the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers report children living in areas with higher level of air pollution are at increased risk of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.
Previous studies have linked air pollution to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and a number of other disorders. Researchers report reducing air pollution significantly decreases dementia risk and slows cognitive decline in older women.
Researchers have uncovered the process by which air pollution can damage brain cells, leading to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. Chemicals found in diesel fuel reduced autophagic flux, which is a major pathway implicated in neurodegeneration.
According to researchers, children who carry the APOE4 gene and who are exposed to air pollution have higher behavior problem scores and their attention capacity was slower to develop.
Early-life exposure to high levels of traffic-related air pollution alters the structure of the brain at age 12. Children exposed to air pollution had reduced cortical thickness and gray matter volume compared to children who were not exposed to high levels of pollution.
Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids appears to have a positive effect on brain health in older women who live in areas with high levels of air pollution. Women with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood had more brain shrinkage, specifically in the hippocampus than women with higher levels of omega-3.
Researchers report they have discovered tiny magnetic nanoparticles from air pollution lodged in the human brain. They believe these nanoparticles could contribute to some cases of Alzheimer's.
