Air Pollution Linked to Lewy Body Dementia Progression, Study Finds
New research suggests a worrying link between air pollution and Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder. Studies on mice and humans indicate that chronic exposure to fine particulate matter may increase the risk of hospitalization and accelerate the disease's progression.
Air pollution's impact on Lewy body dementia appears to stem from its interaction with alpha-synuclein, a protein that forms harmful clumps in the brain. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can bind with alpha-synuclein to create a new strain, PM-PFF, similar to that found in Lewy body disease patients.
Humanized mice with a human mutation for alpha-synuclein growth showed cognitive impairment after air pollution exposure. Wild mice exposed to air pollution also developed signs of Lewy body disease in the lungs and gut, suggesting potential links to disease progression. Furthermore, exposure to air pollution led to brain shrinkage and cognitive decline in mice, alongside increased serine-129 phosphorylation in the brain.
The findings highlight the potential role of air pollution as a catalyst for Lewy body dementia. Further research is needed to identify specific pollutants and biological drivers behind the disease, and to develop targeted interventions. In the meantime, reducing air pollution exposure may help mitigate the risk of hospitalization and progression of Lewy body dementia.
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