Particulate Air Pollution Correlates with Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
In a recent study, researchers found a correlation between air pollution and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The interaction of particulates from air pollution with lung tissue can increase chronic inflammation, which is linked to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s. The study focused on traffic as a major source of particulate air pollution, highlighting the potential correlation with wealth due to proximity to traffic flows. Untangling the complex web of correlations involving socioeconomic status, health, and other factors is crucial in understanding human data.
The study analyzed brain tissue from individuals who had agreed to donate their brains for dementia research after death. Researchers looked at the impact of traffic-related air pollution on brain health, specifically examining the presence of amyloid plaques and tau tangles associated with Alzheimer’s. Higher levels of air pollution exposure were linked to increased levels of amyloid plaques, indicating a potential risk factor for the disease. The study also investigated the role of the APOE e4 gene variant in the relationship between air pollution and Alzheimer’s, finding a stronger association among individuals without the gene variant.
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