link with Alzheimer’s later in life ‘- Wel.nl

Nanoparticles from air pollution have been found in the brains of a number of Mexican children. They are linked to the molecular damage that occurs in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

If future research confirms this discovery, it could have dire consequences, as 90 percent of the world’s population lives in polluted air, The Guardian writes. Medical experts are still cautious about the conclusions of the new study. Although they admit that the nanoparticles are likely to lead to brain damage, it has not yet been said that they cause disease like Alzheimer’s.

Brain disorders
There is already more evidence that exposure to air pollution increases the risk of degenerative brain disease, but the new study also shows the underlying mechanism by which the damage occurs.

The researchers found a bunch of tiny pollution particles in the brain trunks of 186 young Mexico City residents who died suddenly when they were between 11 months and 27 years old. The particles have probably reached the brain through the nose, intestines or bloodstream.

There appeared to be a strong link between the nanoparticles and the abnormal proteins in the brain, which are characteristic of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, among others. The abnormal proteins were not found in the brains of equally old people from less polluted areas.

Terrifying
“It’s terrifying, because even very small children already have brain stem damage,” says Professor Barbara Maher of Lancaster University, UK. “We cannot demonstrate causality yet, but how can you expect these nanoparticles, which contain metal pieces, to be inactive and harmless in the critical cells of the brain? It really does seem that these tiny particles ‘fire the bullets’ that are doing the perceived degenerative brain damage. ”

Professor Louise Serpell of the University of Sussex says the nanoparticles are a plausible explanation for the brain damage, but there is not enough evidence that they also cause dementia. “There are many other possible causes.” But she also says, “Our exposure to air pollution is perhaps a very important one trigger for the disease. ”

Bron (nen): The Guardian – .