A research, recently shared in the journal Health Data Science, sheds new light on the pressing global issue of traffic-related air pollution and its implications for public health. The study, led by Fanfan Zheng, a professor at the School of Nursing, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, aims to unravel the previously unclear mechanisms underlying the neurological risks associated with living in proximity to major roads.
The research suggests that the study conducted in both China and the UK has highlighted a concerning link between residing near major highways and an increased risk of dementia, along with notable changes in brain structure. The primary focus of the research lies in examining the role of traffic-related pollutants in this context, the report suggests.
The report highlights that the study employed a robust design, analysing data from a staggering 460,901 participants over a median follow-up period of 12.8 years. Unlike prior research that often relied on patient-reported diagnoses, this study sourced dementia cases from the UK Biobank and meticulously verified them, ensuring a more reliable dataset. Moreover, the study categorised dementia cases by type, enabling a comprehensive analysis. Building upon the UK Biobank study, the researchers conducted brain MRI scans, which revealed changes in brain structures related to Alzheimer's disease at the pre-symptomatic stage. Additionally, the study meticulously controlled for genetic risks and other significant factors contributing to dementia.
The findings of this study reveal a consistent connection between residing in close proximity to heavy traffic and an increased risk of dementia. The primary culprits behind this risk are traffic-related air pollutants, particularly nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5.
An interesting discovery was the lack of any association between long-term traffic noise pollution and dementia, a contrast to prior research. Furthermore, the study consistently found that living near heavy traffic was linked to smaller brain structures associated with Alzheimer's disease.
The study recommends future research to validate the impact of reducing traffic-related pollution on dementia biomarkers and incidence. Chenglong Li, the study's first author said,"Our ultimate goal is to prevent a significant number of dementia cases at the pre-symptomatic stage by eliminating exposure to heavy traffic and its resultant pollutants.
(ANI)