The impact of air pollution on cognitive function and public health.

Introduction

Air pollution is a significant environmental health concern with potential impacts on various aspects of human health, including cognitive function. Recent research has increasingly focused on understanding how exposure to air pollutants affects cognitive abilities and contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Key Insights

General Cognitive Decline and Air Pollution:
- Long-term exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 is associated with decreased cognitive function in older adults, equivalent to aging by several years .
- Chronic exposure to air pollution is linked to reduced global cognition and specific cognitive impairments, such as visuo-spatial abilities and episodic memory .
Impact on Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Performance:
- Air pollution exposure in utero and during childhood is associated with neurodevelopmental delays and lower academic achievement .
- Both short-term and long-term exposures to various air pollutants negatively impact cognitive function, with long-term exposure having a more pronounced effect .
Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cognitive Decline:
- There is consistent evidence linking air pollution to an increased risk of dementia and accelerated cognitive decline, with neuroimaging studies showing reductions in white and gray matter volumes .
- Exposure to traffic-related pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, is particularly associated with Alzheimer's disease-like brain pathologies .
Mechanisms and Modifiers:
- The cognitive impacts of air pollution may be mediated by mood disorders, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress .
- Genetic factors, such as the presence of the ApoE ε4 allele, can modify the association between air pollution and cognitive impairment, making certain individuals more susceptible.

Conclusion

The collective evidence from multiple studies indicates that air pollution has a detrimental effect on cognitive function across the lifespan. Long-term exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 is particularly harmful, contributing to cognitive decline and increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The mechanisms underlying these effects include neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, with genetic factors potentially exacerbating the impact. Reducing air pollution levels could be a crucial step in mitigating cognitive decline and protecting public health.

The impact of air pollution on cognitive function and public health.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Effect of long-term outdoor air pollution and noise on cognitive and psychological functions in adults.

Long-term outdoor air pollution and ambient noise exposure are associated with cognitive function, depressive symptoms, elevated anxiety, and nuisance in adults, but more research is needed to confirm their independent effects.

Cognitive impacts of ambient air pollution in the National Social Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) cohort.

Long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 air pollution is associated with decreased cognitive function in older adults, with individuals experiencing stroke or elevated anxiety being more susceptible to these effects.

A critical review of the epidemiological evidence of effects of air pollution on dementia, cognitive function and cognitive decline in adult population.

Chronic exposure to air pollution is consistently associated with reduced global cognition, cognitive decline, and dementia incidence in older adults.

The impact of long- and short-term exposure to different ambient air pollutants on cognitive function in China.

Long-term exposure to PM2.5 air pollutants significantly negatively impacts cognitive function in China, with different impacts depending on a person's characteristics and attributes.

Air Pollution and Cognitive Impairment across the Life Course in Humans: A Systematic Review with Specific Focus on Income Level of Study Area

Air pollution may impair cognitive function across the life course, but a lack of studies from low- and middle-income countries highlights a research gap.

Exposure to air pollution and cognitive functioning across the life course--A systematic literature review.

Air pollution exposure is associated with impaired brain development in young children and cognitive decline in elderly individuals, highlighting the need for governments and individuals to reduce air pollution.

Fine particulate matter air pollution and cognitive function among older US adults.

Higher PM2.5 concentrations in older adults are associated with worse cognitive function, particularly in episodic memory, suggesting improved air quality may help reduce age-related cognitive decline.

Association of air pollution with cognitive functions and its modification by APOE gene variants in elderly women.

Air pollution exposure is associated with cognitive impairment in elderly women, particularly in visuospatial domains, and this effect is enhanced by traffic exposure in those with the ApoE 4 risk allele.

Danger in the Air: Air Pollution and Cognitive Dysfunction

Exposure to air pollution, particularly particulate matter, leads to poor age-related cognitive performance and is linked to neuroinflammation and neuropathology, potentially leading to neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

The emerging risk of exposure to air pollution on cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease – Evidence from epidemiological and animal studies

Exposure to air pollution is associated with cognitive decline at all ages and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in later life.

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