Dementia can be a consequence of exposure to polluted air

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Reduction of cognitive functions in elderly people may be more likely to be accelerated by long-term exposure to polluted air. Most likely, harmful air emissions that enter the human circulatory system and affect blood flow to the brain increase the risk of developing dementia. This was the conclusion reached by the British Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution (COMEAP).

Experts studied about 70 studies on the impact of emissions into the atmosphere on the human brain. After conducting an analysis, they stated that epidemiological data quite consistently report the connection between chronic exposure to polluted air and a decline in general cognition and deterioration of visual-spatial abilities, as well as a decline in cognitive functions.

Scientists concluded that long-term exposure to polluted air can cause white matter atrophy. In addition, there are suggestions that harmful emissions affect the development of memory and attention in people.

However, so far researchers cannot say which pollutant increases the risk of dementia. They promised to do more research to find evidence.