Pollution 'may cause brain injury'RSS Feed

Exposure to vehicle pollution could cause brain injury leading to memory loss and Alzheimer's, a study has indicated.

Research published in journal Environmental Heath Perspectives found that short-term exposure to vehicle pollution caused significant brain injury in mice.

Neurons associated with memory and learning exhibited significant damage, signs of inflammation associated with premature ageing and Alzheimer's were seen and neurons in developing mice did not grow as successfully.

Senior author Caleb Finch said of the particles, which were taken from the freeway: "You can't see them, but they are inhaled and have an effect on brain neurons that raises the possibility of long-term brain health consequences of freeway air.

"Of course this leads to the question, 'How can we protect urban dwellers from this type of toxicity?' And that's a huge unknown."

In other Alzheimer's news, brain injury similar to that of Alzheimer's patients has been seen in apparently healthy older people, indicating that the condition is present years before the onset of symptoms.

News brought to you by Serious Law specialists in traumatic brain injury

Posted by Timothy Walters
 

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