Air Pollution and Your Brain
The research
included more than 940 people who were healthy… with no history of dementia or
stroke at the start. All were at least 60 years old and lived in regions where
air pollution levels are considered low. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to
determine the effect of long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution on
their brain structure. Fine particle air pollution comes from car exhaust,
burning wood or coal, and other sources. The results… long-term exposure to
this type of air pollution was linked with reduced brain volume. People who
lived in areas with higher levels had smaller total cerebral brain volume and
were more likely to have brain infarcts… areas of tissue damage that can lead
to poorer cognitive function.
The
researchers say these findings suggest that even relatively low levels of
particulate air pollution may lead to changes in the brain and small-vessel
disease in older adults.