Also discussed here:Air Pollution Linked to Learning and Memory Problems, Depression (Science Daily, Jul. 6, 2011)
The journal article reviewed today looks at the health impacts of air pollution, not on heart and lungs, but on the brain, specifically dendrites. The authors found that prolonged exposure has negative effects which can lead to a number of health problems.
Key Quotes:
” The central nervous system may be adversely affected by activation of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory pathways that accompany particulate matter pollution”
“The researchers looked specifically at branches that grow off of nerve cells (or neurons) called dendrites. The dendrites have small projections growing off them called spines, which transmit signals from one neuron to another. Mice exposed to polluted air had fewer spines in parts of the hippocampus, shorter dendrites and overall reduced cell complexity.”
"The results suggest prolonged exposure to polluted air can have visible, negative effects on the brain, which can lead to a variety of health problems,"
"This could have important and troubling implications for people who live and work in polluted urban areas around the world."
Related articles
- Air Pollution Could Damage Your Brain (fastcompany.com)
- Air Pollution Linked to Learning and Memory Problems, Depression (tricitypsychology.com)
- Impacts of Nano Particulates from Urban Traffic on the Brain (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)
- Air pollution linked to learning and memory problems, depression (scienceblog.com)
- Is air pollution destroying your memory? [Neuroscience] (io9.com)
- Air Pollution Linked to Brain Damage and Depression (treehugger.com)
- Air pollution can lead to brain damage and depression (wilderside.wordpress.com)
- Soot may hurt brain function (dispatch.com)
- Proximity to Traffic Air Pollution and Birth Outcomes (pollutionfree.wordpress.com)
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