this air pollutionIt is associated with a higher incidence of dementia cases, which is particularly strong in cities.. In a comprehensive review of all the scientific literature that exists around this phenomenon, the UK government found that air pollution increases the risk of brain cells losing their function.
Dementia affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, of whom about 60% live in low- and middle-income countries. About 10 million new cases are recorded each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 5% and 8% of the general population aged 60 and over suffer from dementia at any given time.. The total number of people with dementia is expected to reach 82 million in 2030 and 152 million in 2050. Much of this increase can be attributed to the fact that the number of people with dementia will tend to increase in low- and middle-income countries. increasingly.
Although epidemiological data vary according to the referenced source, It is estimated that there are currently around 800,000 dementia patients in Spain, about 60% to 80% of these correspond to Alzheimer’s disease.
Not only the lungs are at risk
The report concludes: “Air pollution causes reduced mental capacity and therefore dementia in the elderly”. How can this be? When we breathe in these toxic microparticles, we not only expose our lungs, but also increase the risk of different cardiovascular diseases. Small particles in the suspension can also filter into our bloodstream and circulate through our body from there until they reach the brain.
As with the alveoli, particles smaller than 2.5 microns (PM 2.5) irritate blood vessels, cutting off or limiting blood flow to the brain. Gradually, this phenomenon causes vascular dementia. There are rare cases where contaminant particles even cross the blood-brain barrier and directly damage neurons.
To reach these conclusions, the scientists reviewed a total of 70 human studies, including epidemiological studies in patients, the general public, and laboratory experiments. Despite the enormous evidence to establish this clear link between air pollution and dementia, it is not yet sufficient to determine how many cases of dementia are linked to it.
As the researchers explain, there is “solid” evidence that air pollutants cause problems with the cardiovascular system, so these effects are “likely” to have an effect on blood flow as well. However, given the data, the researchers believe that “the association between exposure to pollutants and effects on cognitive decline must be causal.”
15% fewer cases of dementia with better weather
Previous research also shows that cognitive function by improving air quality. This study, published in Environmental Pollution in 2021, confirmed the reduction of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and traffic-related pollutants (NO2) by 10% of the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard in the United States. It was associated with a 14% and 26% risk of dementia and slower cognitive decline in older American women, regardless of age, education level, geographic region where they live, and whether they have cardiovascular disease.
Moreover, Reducing PM2.5 concentration over 10 years was associated with a 15% reduction in the risk of all-cause dementia in French individuals. PM2.5 reduction reduces Alzheimer’s disease by 17% for each microgram of gaseous pollutant per cubic meter of air (microg/m3). Long-term exposure to air pollutants was also associated with increased blood amyloid beta levels in a large US cohort, suggesting a possible biological link between air quality and physical changes in the brain that define Alzheimer’s disease.
Reference work: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-pollution-cognitive-decline-and-dementia
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