Air pollution has long been linked to cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, but new research suggests it may also significantly impair brain health—especially when exposure occurs during midlife. Researchers from University College London and King’s College London published a study in The Lancet Healthy Longevity that identified the ages of 45 to 69 as a critical window during which air pollution is linked to cognitive decline and structurally damaging changes in the brain.
The study followed participants for nearly three decades, measuring exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, while assessing memory and processing speeds. They found that ambient air pollution can affect cognitive aging and increase dementia risk even before clinical symptoms emerge.
According to lead author Thomas Canning, “Air pollution has been called the invisible killer and is the number one environmental threat to health in the world.” The study’s findings suggest that midlife exposure to nitrogen dioxide was associated with a significant decrease in processing speed and cognitive impairment. These effects remained noteworthy even after adjusting for childhood cognitive ability and earlier-life exposure.
The global dementia burden is rising rapidly, with cases projected to triple from 57 million to 153 million by 2050. Identifying risk factors like air pollution is crucial to slowing the trend. Canning emphasized that “air pollution is a risk factor that is easily modifiable” and encouraged action at all levels, including local government initiatives.
The study’s implications are significant, as they highlight the need for public health approaches to reduce air pollution. Scientists recommend building care homes away from busy roads, improving guidelines for healthcare professionals, and developing behavioral interventions like nature prescribing for dementia patients.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/this-age-range-when-air-pollution-starts-damaging-your-brain-2102576