Air pollution worsens Alzheimer’s disease

Air pollution worsens Alzheimer’s disease

A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has found that living in areas with high concentrations of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) is associated with increased accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Even just a year of living in such conditions can accelerate cognitive and functional decline, including poor memory, difficulty thinking, and performing everyday tasks. 

The researchers used data from more than 600 postmortem brains and local air pollution estimates. Every 1 microgram/m³ increase in PM2.5 was associated with a roughly 19 percent increase in the risk of advanced disease. 

These results highlight that measures to reduce air pollution are important not only for the lungs and heart, but also for maintaining brain health and slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.