Too Much Pollution Elevates Risk of Neurodegnerative Diseases inn Children: Study

Risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's is high in children living in polluted cities, according to a study.

Air pollution is increasing at a rapid pace owing to fast urbanization and industrialization of areas that were once peaceful and greener. Intake of harmful gases released as automobile and factory exhaust cause severe respiratory disorders and diseases like hypertension and heart attacks. A new research says too much exposure to air pollution stunts brain health in children and makes them vulnerable to inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders.

The University of Montana study discovered that particulate matter and metallic compounds in the atmosphere when ingested, result in respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. They also affect blood flow to the brain increasing the risk of developing Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The experts examined 58 samples of serum and fluids inside the skull surrounding the brain from participants living in less polluted regions and compared them with samples of  81 children living in Mexico City. They also recorded the subject's age, gender, parent's education and socio-economic status.  

It was observed that children living in Mexico City had higher levels of anti-bodies of pollutants and metallic toxics in the serum, neuronal proteins and cerebrospinal fluids that serve as barriers against inflammation.

"We asked why a clinically healthy kid is making autoantibodies against their own brain components," said Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas, study author and professor at the University of Montana in a news release.

"That is indicative of damage to barriers that keep antigens and neurotoxins away from the brain. Brain autoantibodies are one of the features in the brains of people who have neuro-inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis,'" she said

The authors warn that once the particulate matter and pollutants gain entry inside the body, it can cause neurotoxins, bacteria and viruses to invade and trigger autoimmune responses leading to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

"The barriers are there for a reason. They are there to protect you, but once they are broken the expected results are not good," adds Calderón-Garcidueñas.

These results highlight the dangers of living in polluted cities to the environment and health. Their estimates suggest more than 200 million Americans live in areas where greenhouse gases and particulate matter exceed the maximum levels.

More information is available online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.