Air quality and aging brain: Air pollution as a risk factor of developing dementia

Introduction and Purpose: Air pollution is one of the underrated risk factors for developing major health problems in the contemporary world, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, stroke, and lung cancer.Almost 99% of the global population resides in areas where air quality standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) are exceeded.This review article aims to explore the latest data regarding the link between air pollution and dementia, as well as the main challenges in research in this field.These findings are crucial for implementing proper prevention strategies for neurodegenerative diseases and reducing the prevalence of dementia.Brief description of the state of knowledge:Recent studies suggest that air pollution could influence the brain and contribute to the development of dementia.The compounds primarily suspected negatively impacting health include particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).The strongest correlation between exposure to air pollutants and increased risk of developing dementia was found for PM2.5 in numerous studies.Summary: The strongest association was found for PM2.5, while PM10, NO2, and NOx are potentially harmful.Most studies have been conducted in high-income countries, highlighting the need for data from middle and low-income countries.There is insufficient research regarding O3, SO2, and CO.Given that air pollution is ubiquitous in the modern world and affects most of the world's population, further research in this field is necessary.