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Breathing in air pollution related to traffic could increase your risk of developing age-related dementia, including Alzheimer's disease,anew studysuggests.

In the study, published this month in the journal Environmental Health Outlook,The researchers at the University of California-Davis set up a rodent habitat near an animated traffic tunnel in northern California. Scientists then exposed filtered air rats or polluted air directly from the tunnel for 14 months maximum.

The rats were divided into two groups: the wild rats, then those who expressed the genes of the disease of Alzheimer's disease similar to man. The researchers found that being exposed to chronic traffic atmospheric pollution has accelerated the development of symptoms and symptoms resembling Alzheimer's two groups.

"Our data has shown that traffic-related atmospheric pollution decreases the time required at the beginning and increases the severity of the disease in rats that have expressed genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Pamela Lein, Professor neurotoxicology at the University of California, Davis, toldMedical News Today. She stated that the conclusions suggest that even people who are not genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's disease may be at increased risk if they are chronically exposed to traffic-related air pollution.

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Other studies show a link

Several other studies have suggested that there may be a link between atmospheric pollution and dementia. A 2018 review of studies published in theAlzheimer's Disease Journalanalyzed 13 research documents and have found thatParticle exposures, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide - all elements found in traffic-related atmospheric pollution - were related to dementia. "Evidence emerge from greater exposure to airborne pollutants related to increased risk of dementia," the researchers wrote.

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for many disordersThis can lead to changes to memory, thought and personality that interfere with a person's ability to operate. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia; At least 5 million Americans are affected.

About 50 million people live with dementia around the world and that the number should triple by 2050, as the age of the population and people live longer.

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What are the risk factors for dementia?

According to the CDC, the risk factors currently established for dementia include:

• Age. This is the strongest risk factor. Above all, people over 65 are affected.
• Family history.
• Race / ethnicity. The African Americans are twice as likely and Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely, to develop dementia than whites.
• Poor cardiac health, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.
• Traumatic brain lesion.

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More study required

Researchers in the study of rodents and dementia experts warned that the results are preliminary. (Remember that the correlation did not match the causality, and aNimal studies do not necessarily correlate with humans.)

"Alzheimer, and actually all the causes of dementia, are complex diseases, and there are probably a number of things that contribute to the risk of a person," said Heather Snyder, Ph.D., Vice- President of Medical and Scientific Relations at Alzheimer Association.

Scientists who led the study called for more research to determine how pollutants can affect the aging brain. And to ensure your health and health of others, do not miss theseSign that you had Covid and you did not know it.