Alzheimer's Disease and Air Pollution

Alzheimer's Disease and Air Pollution
Author: L. Calderón-Garcidueñas
Publisher: IOS Press
Total Pages: 616
Release: 2021-05-03
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1643681591

Most people think of Alzheimer’s disease as a condition which predominately affects elderly people, but an increasing amount of evidence indicates that in populations exposed to high concentration of air pollutants, Alzheimer’s disease development and progression can be identified in pediatric and young adulthood ages. Cognitive, olfactory, gait, equilibrium and auditory alterations are seen early, thus the concept of decades-long asymptomatic period prior to clinical cognitive impairment does not apply to the millions of people exposed day in and day out to polluted environments. This book Alzheimer's Disease and Air Pollution – The Development and Progression of a Fatal Disease from Childhood and the Opportunities for Early Prevention is a compilation of work by researchers intent on revealing the links between air pollution and neurodegeneration. The book is divided into 6 sections. It includes a section describing the ways in which air pollution from traffic and tobacco smoke can damage the brain; epidemiological studies establishing a strong link between dementia and particulate matter and ozone; papers explaining the properties of pollution; and works describing the intricate pathways which transform normal neurons into ghost tangles surrounded by a devastated brain. Air pollution is complex; different pollutants, different sizes and shapes and different portals of entry, play different roles, but their capacity to damage neural tissue is abundantly illustrated in this book, which highlights the need for preventive measures to protect the millions of people currently exposed to air pollutants, and the need to ameliorate their harmful effects.

Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Author: Leonard F. M. Scinto
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 366
Release: 2000-02-09
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1592590055

Drs. Leonard Scinto and Kirk Daffner provide a comprehensive survey of new diagnostic approaches to Alzheimer's disease. The authoritative contributors critically survey the most promising current research on early diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease, including the elucidation of changes in the brain revealed by structural and functional neuroimaging, as well as the characteristic patterns of cognitive decline that are documented by sensitive neuropsychological tests, various genetic markers, and biological assays. Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease illuminates the complex issues surrounding the search for early markers of this increasingly widespread disease. It will establish a new standard reference guide for all those working with Alzheimer's patients.

Neurological Disorders

Neurological Disorders
Author: World Health Organization
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2006
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9241563362

Although there are several gaps in understanding the many issues related to neurological disorders, we know enough to be able to shape effective policy responses to some of the most common. This book describes and discusses the increasing public health impact of common neurological disorders such as dementia, epilepsy, headache disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuroinfections, neurological disorders associated with malnutrition, pain associated with neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease, stroke and traumatic brain injuries. It provides information and advice on public health interventions that may reduce their occurrence and consequences, and offers health professionals and planners the opportunity to assess the burden caused by these disorders. The clear message that emerges is that unless immediate action is taken globally, the neurological burden is likely to become an increasingly serious and unmanageable.

Ambient Air Pollution and Health Impact in China

Ambient Air Pollution and Health Impact in China
Author: Guang-Hui Dong
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018-12-12
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9789811354557

This book focuses on the health impacts of air pollution in China, especially the epidemiology-based exposure-response functions for the mortality, morbidity, and hospital admissions for respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and mental health related to pollution. It also provides the latest estimates of the magnitude of the adverse effects of air pollution on the health of the Chinese population. By providing a better understanding of the impact of air pollution on health, it improves the scientific basis of risk assessment, and also helps governments develop policies and other health protection initiatives to reduce the impacts of air pollution. The book offers environmental scientists, engineers, researchers and students a comprehensive and organized body of information in the area of air pollution.

Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease: From Gene to Prevention

Epidemiology of Alzheimer’s Disease: From Gene to Prevention
Author: Richard Mayeux
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 140
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 364260076X

This volume contains the proceedings of the 14th Colloque Médecine et Recherche of the Fondation Ipsen pour la Recherche Thérapeutique devoted to Alzheimer's Disease and dedicated to the epidemiological study of this dementia, a very important issue because the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease rise exponentially with age. Epidemiological findings not only confirm dementia as a major challenge for the coming years but also contribute defining risk factors, predicting and may be preventing this disease.

Dementia and Memory

Dementia and Memory
Author: Lars-Göran Nilsson
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2013-11-20
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1317916581

A negative effect of the ageing population is that more individuals are experiencing cognitive decline and some form of neurodegenerative disease. With the number of people experiencing dementia likely to double in the next 20 years, this change in society presents one of greatest challenges facing public health personnel in the 21st century. The aim of this volume is to describe research that is in progress, and the major findings that have been obtained in the scientific study of dementia. The chapters in the first section of the book focus upon early signs of dementia, and consider several approaches to finding early cognitive signs and biological markers of dementia. The second section considers whether dementia is inevitable for people who become very old, and features chapters on risk factors and proactive influences, cognitive reserve and intervention. Each chapter in the final section describes phenomena which are related to differences in function between memory systems, including anterograde memory in fronto-temporal dementia, and the role semantic memory and semantic cognition may play in developing an understanding of the development of the degenerative processes in dementia. With contributions from world-class researchers in this area, the volume offers a concise overview of key findings in recent research on dementia and memory. It will be of great interest to researchers and advanced students of cognitive psychology, and to those working in related fields, such as gerontology, rehabilitation sciences, and allied health.

The Role of Global Air Pollution in Aging and Disease

The Role of Global Air Pollution in Aging and Disease
Author: Caleb E. Finch
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 220
Release: 2018-01-21
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0128131039

Global Air Pollution in Aging: Reading Smoke Signals is a complete reference connecting environmental pollution research to the human aging process. Since 1800, lifespans have more than doubled as infections declined and medicine improved. But the 20th century introduced a new global scourge of air pollution from fossil fuels with the potential to damage arteries, hearts and lungs that has been related to chronic exposure of air pollution from fossil fuels. Risk areas of study include childhood obesity, brain damage associated with air pollution, increased risk for autism in children and dementia in older adults. In humans and animals, air pollution stimulates chronic inflammation in different organs, and genetic vulnerability to air pollution is being recognized, particularly for carriers of the Alzheimer risk gene ApoE4. Connects environmental pollution research to the human aging process Raises new issues relevant to the controversies on air pollution and global warming, challenging assumptions that lifespan will continue to increase in the 21st Century Examines the burden of air pollution to disadvantaged populations, with anticipated greater impact in developing countries which rely on fossil fuels for economic development in future decades

Genes, Environment and Alzheimer's Disease

Genes, Environment and Alzheimer's Disease
Author: Orly Lazarov
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 449
Release: 2016-02-25
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0128028858

Genes, Environment and Alzheimer's Disease discusses the role that activities such as exercise can play in cardiovascular health, while also highlighting the fact that the last 10 years have brought great discoveries in the strong environmental component of brain disorders, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline. It is now clear that brain insult is an environmental risk factor for AD, while on the other hand, lifestyle components such as exercise and level of education may play a protective role, delaying the onset and/or severity of the disease. Evidence from experiments in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease contributes major insight into the molecular mechanisms by which the environment plays its role in AD. Additionally, there are diseases related to lifestyle that may lead to AD. This volume reviews new discoveries related to all these factors, serving as a translational tool for clinicians and researchers interested in genetic and environmental risk factors for the disease. Provides the first volume to link genetic and environmental risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia Aids researchers and clinicians in understanding the basic mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline Brings the basic science and clinical perspectives together in a single volume, facilitating translational possibilities Includes a range of molecular to behavioral components assembled into a single volume that creates an excellent resource for basic and clinical neuroscientists

Traffic-related Air Pollution and Dementia Incidence in a Seattle-based, Prospective Cohort Study

Traffic-related Air Pollution and Dementia Incidence in a Seattle-based, Prospective Cohort Study
Author: Magali Nohemy Blanco
Publisher:
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2021
Genre:
ISBN:

Dementia has been considered a major global public health priority. It is very common in older adults and characterized by the progressive and irreversible loss of memory and mental abilities. Those affected often experience other comorbidities, disability and early death. No cure currently exists for progressive dementias, and the associated healthcare costs exceed those of other age-related conditions. Recently, animal and human studies have begun reporting on air pollution neurotoxicity, including dementia. Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAP) such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ultrafine particulates (UFP) and black carbon (BC) are important components of community air pollution that can vary substantially over space and time. TRAP exposure has been shown to be associated with neurotoxicity and pathologies such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in animals as well as cognitive deficits, including late-life dementia, though the evidence has been stronger for some pollutants than others. In particular, research indicates that UFPs may play an important role in the adverse health effects associated with particulate matter. Still, epidemiologic studies investigating dementia and long-term TRAP exposure are limited due to the absence of models that appropriately capture long-term human exposure to TRAP. This study addresses this gap in the literature through three specific aims: In Aim 1, we use fine-scale, long-term NO2 exposure as well as road proximity to assess the association between TRAP and late-life all-cause and AD dementia incidence in a community-based prospective cohort study. This study was conducted using the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) cohort, a well-characterized, Seattle-based, prospective cohort study of aging and the brain among elderly individuals (65+ years) that has been ongoing since 1994 (Kukull et al., 2002; L. Wang et al., 2006). Participants were assigned long-term NO2 exposure based on a spatiotemporal model that incorporates decades of local air quality monitoring data based on residential history. Our primary analyses indicated that for every additional 5 ppb increase in 10-year average NO2 exposure, the hazard of all-cause and AD dementia is estimated to be 1% (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.11) and 2% (HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.13) greater, respectively, after adjusting for important potential confounders. Sensitivity and secondary analyses investigating the impact of different exposure windows, model adjustments, exposure quality and more were in agreement, supporting the robustness of our results. These findings are in line with the literature and a recent meta-analysis indicating that there is no evidence of an association between NO2 and dementia incidence. In Aim 2, we leverage a highly innovative mobile monitoring campaign specifically designed to assess spatially-granular, long-term TRAP exposure for the ACT cohort (Blanco et al., 2019; Stanley, 2019) to characterize otherwise unavailable annual-average UFP and BC exposure. We calculate weighted UFP and BC averages from repeated short-term monitoring samples and use these to build universal kriging models with partial least squares regression to summarize hundreds of geographic covariate predictors. The hold-out model validation results indicated low model bias and high precision (RMSE: 933 pt UFP/cm3, 58 ng BC/m3; R2: 0.87 for UFP, 0.85 for BC). Predicted annual average UFP and BC exposure for ACT cohort locations had a median (IQR) of 6,782 (1,788) pt/cm3 and 525 (134) ng/m3, respectively. Similar to past studies, predicted concentration were highest near the downtown, industrial and airport areas as well as along major highways. Sensitivity analyses taking different approaches for dealing with extreme observations, calculating annual averages and building models all resulted in very similar results, strengthening the robustness of these exposure models. These findings support the use of these prediction models for future epidemiologic investigations of TRAP exposure in the ACT cohort. Aim 3 extends the exposure surfaces developed in Aim 2 for 2019 back to 1995 in order to characterize otherwise unavailable, spatially granular, long-term BC and UFP exposure for the ACT cohort. We use time-varying values of emission indicators (highway emissions) and surrogates (population density and green space; hereafter referred to jointly as "indicators") known to be strongly associated with TRAP along with observations of air pollution trends over time to extrapolate model predictions back in time. We validate models against historical observations at air monitoring sites. Results from these models showed that annual average BC and UFP exposure estimates for the ACT cohort were generally higher and more variable for earlier years. Locations near Seattle and along major roadways saw the sharpest drops in BC levels, while locations near the Sea-Tac Airport saw the sharpest drops in UFP levels over time. Models captured overall spatial and temporal pollution trends, though they were conservative and underpredicted observed concentrations at AQS sites. These models provide an understanding of how these otherwise poorly characterized pollutants may have changed over time in the Puget Sound, an important gap in the field. Until now, investigations of TRAP exposure have been largely limited to short-term human exposure and animal studies despite the growing body of evidence linking some TRAPs to brain health. In one of the first truly long-term epidemiologic studies of TRAP exposure, we found no evidence that elevated levels of long-term NO2 exposure is associated with an increased risk of late-life dementia incidence. Furthermore, we are one of the first to build annual-average UFP and BC exposure models from a novel and extensive mobile monitoring campaign specifically designed to assess exposure in a long-standing, community-based, prospective cohort study of aging and the brain. These models can be used to further advance the field and support epidemiologic investigations of dementia incidence and long-term TRAP exposure, including UFPs and pollutant mixtures.