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๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ Poland /Health & Science

Polluted air harms brain function, even at low levels, Canadian study finds

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • A study published in "Stroke" found that living in areas with higher air pollution is linked to poorer cognitive function, including memory, comprehension, and thinking speed.
  • The research, conducted in Canada, showed these effects even at pollution levels considered low by international standards.
  • Air pollution, particularly from traffic, industry, and wildfires, may directly impact the brain, potentially causing subtle, long-term damage.

New research suggests that breathing polluted air, even at levels considered low, can negatively affect brain function. A study published in the journal "Stroke" on May 13 revealed that individuals residing in areas with higher air pollution performed worse on tests measuring memory, comprehension, and thinking speed.

The study, conducted in Canada, a country known for its low average air pollution levels, examined 6,878 individuals with an average age of 57.6 years. Researchers compared participants' long-term exposure to common air pollutants, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide, with their cognitive test results. The findings indicate a link between daily exposure to polluted air and diminished cognitive abilities.

According to the study's lead author, Sandi Azab of McMaster University, even low levels of air pollution are associated with brain health decline. These changes might occur subtly over time, preceding any noticeable symptoms. The research also found that higher levels of traffic-related pollution were associated with minor but visible signs of brain damage on MRI scans, particularly in women. These associations persisted even after accounting for cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, suggesting a direct impact of air pollution on the brain.

While the authors emphasize that the study does not prove air pollution causes dementia, it adds to the evidence that air quality can influence age-related changes in memory and cognitive functions. Further long-term research is needed to fully understand how sustained exposure to air pollution affects cognitive decline and whether improving air quality can help protect brain health.

The air in Canada is often described as clean, but our research findings indicate that even low levels of air pollution are associated with worsening brain health. These are changes that can occur imperceptibly, long before any visible symptoms appear.

· Sandi AzabExplaining the study's findings about the impact of low-level air pollution on the brain.
About this summary

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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