A recent study conducted in China and the UK has uncovered a concerning link between living near major roadways, dementia incidence, and alterations in brain structure.
This research, published in Health Data Science, highlights the significant impact of traffic-related air pollution on public health and the growing global concern surrounding dementia.
Lead author Fanfan Zheng, a professor at the School of Nursing, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, explained that while previous research hinted at the neurological risks associated with residing near major roads, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear.
This study aimed to delve into the relationship between proximity to major roads and the risk of dementia, with a particular focus on the role of traffic-related pollutants.
The study analyzed data from a substantial cohort of 460,901 participants over a median follow-up period of 12.8 years.
Unlike previous research that relied on patient-reported diagnoses, this study sourced dementia cases from the UK Biobank and verified them, ensuring a more reliable dataset.
Additionally, the research examined specific types of dementia, providing a comprehensive analysis.
As an extension of the UK Biobank study, the research included brain MRI scans that revealed changes in brain structures associated with Alzheimer’s disease at the pre-symptomatic stage.
The study also controlled for genetic risks and other significant factors contributing to dementia risk.
Key Findings: Air Pollution as the Primary Driver
The study’s findings demonstrated a consistent link between residing in close proximity to heavy traffic and an elevated risk of dementia.
Notably, traffic-related air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5, emerged as the primary drivers of this correlation.
These results suggest that efforts to mitigate air pollution could serve as a viable strategy to reduce the dementia risk associated with exposure to traffic-related pollutants.
Contrary to previous research, the study found no association between long-term traffic noise pollution and dementia risk.
In addition to dementia risk, the study revealed that living near traffic was consistently linked to smaller brain structure volumes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Future Directions: Preventing Dementia Cases
Looking ahead, the researchers emphasize the need for future studies to validate the impact of reducing traffic-related pollution on dementia biomarkers and incidence.
The ultimate goal is to prevent a significant number of dementia cases, particularly at the pre-symptomatic stage, by eliminating exposure to heavy traffic and its associated pollutants.
This study provides valuable insights into the detrimental effects of traffic-related air pollution on dementia risk and brain structure alterations.
The findings underscore the importance of addressing air pollution as a public health priority, potentially reducing the burden of dementia worldwide.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
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The research findings can be found in Health Data Science.
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