It occurred to me that at one point it was like I had two diseases - one was Alzheimer’s, the other was knowing I had Alzheimer’s. -Terry Pratchett
More than 5 million US citizens are currently living with Alzheimer’s Disease, but for the most part the disease remains a bit of a mystery to doctors and scientists alike. In fact, the human brain itself continues to mystify experts, though it’s been studied for hundred of years, so it’s no surprise that a disease that changes how the brain operates, like Alzheimer’s, is still not understood. Alzheimer’s Disease, which occurs most often in older adults but can be early onset, causes people to lose their memory and become confused, sometimes believing they’re living out old memories with periods of lucidity or not remembering how to recognize simple things (including family members). While Alzheimer’s affects everyone differently, caretaking for someone with Alzheimer’s is incredibly difficult, and the disease (as of yet) is impossible to stop or to cure. Except now, scientists have discovered what might be a new link - air pollution.
What We Do Know About Alzheimer’s
- Alzheimer’s affects over 5 million US citizens currently, and the number of diagnosed cases worldwide is rising quickly (though no one knows quite why).
- Some individuals seem to be genetically predetermined to get Alzheimer’s at some point in their life, though in some cases there is no predisposition.
- When an individual has Alzheimer’s Disease, it progresses over time, killing brain cells until it eventually destroys the brain.
- Among the changes in the brain, doctors have identified a build-up of plaques (microscopic clumps of protein in the brain), as well as a loss of connectivity between brain cells, inflammation, and brain cell death.
- Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, an umbrella term for diseases that damage brain cells.
- Good health and exercise may help prevent Alzheimer’s in old age.
New Findings
In a study published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, scientists analyzed brain tissue samples of various individuals, aged 3 to 92, to examine the presence and qualities of magnitite. Magnitite, which is toxic and linked to the production of free radicals (associated with Alzheimer's Disease), was found in much higher concentrations in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s, and scientists no longer believe it forms naturally in the brain. Instead, they’re looking to a culprit of a host of other health issues: air pollution.
While air pollution has harmful effects on our respiratory and heart health, there seems to be a link to our neurological health as well. The pollution from cars and trains, specifically the particles released when braking, have been identified in human brains, where scientists once thought they couldn’t reach. It’s suspected they are absorbed through olfactory cells (the cells we use to smell) all the way into the brain...and based on the differing shapes and sizes of these cells, found in the plaque build-ups of proteins, and the cells that are naturally occurring, scientists believe they may be onto something new. “There is indication that we are creating inflammatory responses that are in the direction of Alzheimer's disease," say Caleb Finch, though doctors are staying cautious. So far there is no causal link.
What it Means for Now
So, if you live in an area that’s heavily polluted, should you expect a higher chance of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s? Not necessarily. As there’s no causal link yet, it’s impossible to tell - for now, all we know is scientists have identified something interesting that’ll take a whole lot more research to prove one way or another. But there is some advice if you’re worried about Alzheimer’s - focus on staying healthy, getting enough exercise, and not smoking, all of which seem to help. And limit your exposure to air pollution - even if it doesn’t cause Alzheimer’s, it’s not healthy for you anyway.
