Pollution's Silent Attack: Link to Alzheimer's Revealed

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a component of air pollution, is now strongly linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. This microscopic pollution, originating from sources like car exhaust and power plants, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Once in the body, PM2.5 triggers inflammation and oxidative stress, directly impacting brain tissue and raising dementia risk.

Research involving nearly 28 million seniors revealed that for every modest increase in PM2.5 exposure, Alzheimer's diagnoses increased by 8.5 percent. The study found that pollution primarily attacks the brain directly, rather than indirectly through other conditions like hypertension or stroke, though these also elevate Alzheimer's risk. Survivors of stroke exhibited an even greater vulnerability, with their Alzheimer's risk increasing by 10.5 percent for the same pollution exposure.

Scientists have determined that PM2.5 particles can travel directly to the brain via the olfactory pathway, bypassing the bloodstream entirely. This direct route can lead to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and the buildup of amyloid-beta and tau proteins, characteristic hallmarks of Alzheimer's. Furthermore, pollution exposure can compromise the blood-brain barrier, leaving the brain more susceptible to damage.