Recent Studies Examine Airborne Particles and Brain Effects

 A series of recent studies highlighted by The Washington Post indicates that microscopic airborne debris can bypass the blood-brain barrier and infiltrate brain tissue, raising questions about possible associations between air pollution and neurocognitive conditions including autism and dementia, according to reporting summarized by Futurism. The findings add to a body of research suggesting that what people breathe may affect the brain, not only the lungs and heart.

Caleb Finch, a University of Southern California professor known for his work on Alzheimer's disease and aging, told The Washington Post that the risk of dementia increases in proportion to the amount of air pollution. The mechanisms by which particles reach the brain remain unclear, the reporting stated.

Separate public-health summaries have described similar concerns. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have noted that ultrafine particles may contribute to learning difficulties in children....<<<Read More>>>...