AIR POLLUTION MAY IMPAIR BRAIN HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTS: STUDY

Wed 26 March 2025:

Air pollution may impair brain health in older adults, according to new research from Taiwan.

A new study released by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University found that air pollution may stimulate the immune system through smell, triggering inflammation, the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported on Tuesday.

This inflammation could damage the blood-brain barrier, leading to injury to the brain’s blood vessels, ultimately affecting neurological health.

Using models to estimate 10-year air pollution levels, the researchers studied 412 adults, age 60 and older, living in rural and urban areas. They also did cognitive tests and MRI scans to analyze changes in their brain structure.

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The MRI scans also showed structural changes in brain regions responsible for attention and memory when the pollutants’ concentrations decreased.

Air pollution, according to Yi-Fang Chuang, an associate professor at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Public Health Institute, is a risk factor for impaired cognitive function.

She said the study helps clarify the relationship between air pollution and brain health in older adults.

Improving air quality, she added, can promote brain health and cognitive function in older adults, delaying the risk of dementia.

Air pollution poses several serious health risks. It can lead to respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, and lung infections, particularly in vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions. Long-term exposure to polluted air increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, as pollutants can damage blood vessels and the heart.

Air pollution is also linked to cancer, particularly lung cancer, due to harmful chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde in the air. Additionally, it can impair lung development in children and increase the likelihood of premature death. Prolonged exposure can even affect mental health, contributing to conditions like depression and cognitive decline.

It’s crucial to reduce pollution to protect public health.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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