Jama neurology, Peer-reviewed journal

London, March 31 People continuously exposed to air pollution are at increased risk of dementia, especially if they also suffer from cardiovascular diseases, warn researchers.According to the study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) who live in polluted environments may require additional support from care providers to prevent dementia."Interestingly, we were able to establish harmful effects on human health at levels below current air pollution standards," said study first author Giulia Grande from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden."The findings suggest air pollution does play a role in the development of dementia, and mainly through the intermediate step of cardiovascular disease and especially stroke," Grande added.According to the study, the number of people living with dementia is projected to triple in the next 30 years globally.No curative treatment has been identified and the search for modifiable risk and protective factors remains a public health priority.Recent studies have linked both cardiovascular disease and air pollution to the development of dementia, but findings on the air pollution-link have been scarce and inconsistent.To reach the conclusion, the researchers examined the link between long-term exposure to air pollution and dementia and what role cardiovascular diseases play in that association.Almost 3,000 adults with an average age of 74 and living in the Kungsholmen district in central Stockholm were followed for up to 11 years. Of those, 364 people developed dementia.The annual average level of particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in width (PM2.5) are considered low compared to international standards.For the last five years of exposure, the risk of dementia increased by more than 50 per cent per interquartile range (IQR) difference in mean PM2.5 levels and by 14 per cent per IQR in nitrogen oxide, the researchers said.Earlier exposures seemed less important. Heart failure and ischemic heart disease both enhanced the dementia risk and stroke explained almost 50 per cent of air pollution-related dementia cases.Air pollution is an established risk factor for cardiovascular health and because CVD accelerates cognitive decline."We believe exposure to air pollution might negatively affect cognition indirectly," said Grande."In the study, virtually all of the association of air pollution with dementia seemed to be through the presence or the development of CVD, adding more reason to reduce emissions and optimize treatment of concurrent CVD and related risk factors, particularly for people living in the most polluted areas of our cities," she added.( With inputs from IANS )

Home

City

Latest News

Cricket

LT Premium

National

International

Maharashtra

Opinions

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Nagpur

Entertainment

Photos

Business

Technology

Sports

Lifestyle

Social Viral

Lokmat Games

Health

Narendra Modi

Lok Sabha Election 2024

Heatwave In India

Mumbai Water Cut

Maharashtra Lok Sabha Election

IPL 2024

Jama NeurologyFOLLOW

Jama neurology, Latest News

Health :Study finds how chemical exposure increases risk of Parkinson's disease

San Francisco [US], May 19 : Parkinson's disease risk may rise by 70 percent after two years of prolonged ... ...

Health :Early menopause without Hormone therapy could risk Alzheimer's disease: Study

Washington [US], April 5 : Women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD), with women making ... ...

Health :Loss of neurons makes Alzheimer's patients drowsy: Study

According to a recent study, the drowsiness that many Alzheimer's patients experience are caused not by a lack of sleep, but rather by the degeneration of a type of neuron that keeps us awake. It also confirmed that the tau protein is behind that neu ...

Health :Lower risk of Parkinson's disease associated with prostate medication

The recent findings of a large observational study suggest that lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease is associated with taking a particular type of medication, that is used for the treatment of enlarged prostate. ...

Health :Air pollution linked to increased dementia risk

People continuously exposed to air pollution are at increased risk of dementia, especially if they also suffer from cardiovascular diseases, warn researchers. ...