Air pollution from car traffic can impair memory and contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. This has been reported by the University of California at Irvine.
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious neurodegenerative disease in which the memory and cognitive functions of the person are damaged, and in the later stages he completely loses his capacity and personality. Since the consequences of this disease are a heavy burden for both the patient and their relatives, and there is no cure, scientists are looking for ways to prevent the occurrence of this pathology. Specifically, doctors are trying to find out what contributes to Alzheimer’s disease.
In this context, Masashi Kitazawa and colleagues conducted an experiment using mice as model animals to find the link between Alzheimer’s disease and air pollution. To do this, the scientists exposed a group of 3- and 9-month-old mice to ultrafine particulate matter for 12 weeks. Such particles are mainly produced by the movement of cars. The second group was exposed to purified air. Mice of different ages were used to reveal the difference in the effect of contaminants on young and mature organisms.
The mice were then subjected to a series of memory and cognitive tests. It turns out that exposure to particulate matter worsens both. Specifically, older mice (12 months at the time of analysis) showed accumulation of brain plaques and activation of glial cells, which are known to increase inflammation associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
The authors conclude that ultrafine particles in the air are a contributing factor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. “Government and environmental regulators need to step up their efforts to reduce particle levels,” they conclude.
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