Exposure to air pollution linked to Alzheimer’s

SHANGHAI: The elderly and those vulnerable to risks of Alzheimer’s disease need to better protect themselves from air pollution, according to a recent study led by Fudan University that showed long-term exposure to PM2.5 increased the risk of cognitive impairment.

The study, titled “Association of Long-term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution with Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease-related Amyloidosis”, was published in the journal of Biological Psychiatry on May 18.

It concluded that individuals exposed to high levels of PM2.5 – small airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter – are more vulnerable to the risk of getting Alzheimer’s, an illness that causes a decline in cognitive thinking, and behavioural and social skills. An increase of 20 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5 exposure can increase the risk of cognitive decline by 10%.

“Air pollution induces neurotoxic reactions and may exert adverse effects on cognitive health,” the study said.

The study provided key molecular epidemiological evidence that PM2.5 impairs cognitive function through amyloid, a protein in the brain, which proved air pollution-induced cognitive decline.

Teams from the School of Public Health at Fudan University in Shanghai and the university’s affiliated Huashan Hospital led the study. — China Daily/ANN