A Penn Medicine study published in the *Journal of Neurology* has found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may worsen Alzheimer’s disease by accelerating the buildup of toxic proteins in the brain, which are linked to memory loss, impaired judgment, and cognitive decline. The research, conducted by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, examined brain data from 602 individuals who died between 1999 and 2022. Researchers linked higher levels of PM2.5 exposure to more advanced Alzheimer’s-type changes in the brain, suggesting that even slight increases in pollution levels could significantly accelerate the disease’s progression.
The study analyzed the impact of air pollution on brain health, focusing on how exposure to PM2.5 correlates with the severity of Alzheimer’s and related cognitive impairments. Participants included individuals with common dementias, movement disorders, and older adults without dementia. The researchers estimated pollution exposure based on individuals’ home addresses and found that those living in areas with higher pollution levels had more severe Alzheimer’s-type brain changes. This finding highlights the potential role of environmental factors in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Edward Lee, co-director of Penn’s Institute on Aging, commented on the findings in a press release. He emphasized that while pollution levels in the U.S. have reached their lowest in decades, even a brief exposure to high-pollution areas could have a significant impact on a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The study also noted that the individuals analyzed were primarily from disadvantaged neighborhoods and had higher levels of education, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the researchers acknowledged that the study may have underestimated the impact of pollution on blood vessels in the brain, suggesting the need for further investigation into environmental influences on cognitive health.