Experts reveal air pollution is linked to devastating form of dementia

"Air pollution is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, according to a new study. Fine particles in the air can contribute to devastating forms of the disease, the research suggests, by propagating toxic clumps of protein in the brain. Exposure to airborne particles makes it more likely to misfold into clumps, which can then destroy nerve cells in the brain."

"This is a common cause of Lewy body dementia, which researchers describe as a devastating and increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. It is the second most common form of the disease after Alzheimer's. In light of the findings, scientists have called for a concerted effort to improve air quality by cutting emissions, improving wildlife management, and reducing wood burning in homes."

Air pollution is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. Fine airborne particles promote protein misfolding and aggregation in the brain, forming toxic clumps that destroy nerve cells. These processes commonly underlie Lewy body dementia, a devastating and increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that is second only to Alzheimer's. Exposure to particulate pollution raises the likelihood of neurodegeneration. Measures to improve air quality — including cutting emissions, improving wildlife management, and reducing domestic wood burning — are recommended to help lower dementia incidence. In the UK, toxic air pollution is linked to 29,000–43,000 premature deaths annually.

Read at www.independent.co.uk