Air Pollution as Risk Factor for Mental Disorders: In Search for a Possible Link with Alzheimer’s Disease and Schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Attademo ◽  
Francesco Bernardini
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Central Nervous System

As a global problem that has increasingly been causing worldwide concern, air pollution poses a significant and serious environmental risk to health. Risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as various types of cancer, have been consistently associated with the exposure to air pollutants. More recently, various studies have also shown that the central nervous system is also attacked by air pollution. Air pollution appears to be strongly associated with a higher risk of cognitive defects, neurodevelopmental (e.g., schizophrenia) and neurodegenerative (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) disorders. Subjects with schizophrenia, as well as subjects with Alzheimer’s disease, experience a variety of neuropsychological deficits and cognitive impairments. This determines an adverse effect on social and professional functioning, and it contributes to the long-term disease burden. However, no final conclusions have been drawn on the matter of the direct relationship between schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. In recent years, the topic of urbanicity and mental health has become increasingly important. Urban exposure to environmental toxins and pollution is currently described as a reliable risk factor for schizophrenia and other psychoses, and it has been demonstrated more and more how exposure to air pollutants is associated with increased risk of dementia. Pathways by which air pollution can target and damage the brain, leading to an increased risk for developing schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, are multiple and complex. Results from epidemiological studies suggest potential associations, but are still insufficient to confirm causality. Further studies are needed in order to verify this hypothesis. And if confirmed, the clinical implications could be of substantial relevance for both public and mental health.

Ozone, Particulate Matter, and Newly Diagnosed Alzheimer’s Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chau-Ren Jung ◽  
Yu-Ting Lin ◽  
Bing-Fang Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Hazards Model

Several studies with animal research associate air pollution in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathology, but the actual impact of air pollution on the risk of AD is unknown. Here, this study investigates the association between long-term exposure to ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), and newly diagnosed AD in Taiwan. We conducted a cohort study of 95,690 individuals’ age ≥ 65 during 2001–2010. We obtained PM10 and O3 data from Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency during 2000–2010. Since PM2.5 data is only accessible entirely after 2006, we used the mean ratio between PM2.5 and PM10 during 2006–2010 (0.57) to estimate the PM2.5 concentrations from 2000 to 2005. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the associations between O3 and PM2.5 at baseline and changes of O3 and PM2.5 during the follow-up period and AD. The adjusted HR for AD was weakly associated with a raised concentration in O3 at baseline per increase of 9.63 ppb (adjusted HR 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–1.12). Further, we estimated a 211% risk of increase of AD per increase of 10.91 ppb in O3 over the follow-up period (95% CI 2.92–3.33). We found a 138% risk of increase of AD per increase of 4.34 μg/m3 in PM2.5 over the follow-up period (95% CI 2.21–2.56). These findings suggest long-term exposure to O3 and PM2.5 above the current US EPA standards are associated with increased the risk of AD.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Long-Term Rivastigmine and Donepezil Treatment on All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 385-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Kazmierski ◽  
Chaido Messini-Zachou ◽  
Mara Gkioka ◽  
Magda Tsolaki
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Symptomatic Treatment ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Functional Assessments ◽  
The Impact

Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are the mainstays of symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, their efficacy is limited, and their use was associated with deaths in some groups of patients. The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of the long-term use of ChEIs on mortality in patients with AD. This observational, longitudinal study included 1171 adult patients with a diagnosis of AD treated with donepezil or rivastigmine. Each patient was observed for 24 months or until death. The cognitive and functional assessments, the use of ChEIs, memantine, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytics were recorded. The total number of deaths at the end of the observational period was 99 (8.45%). The patients who had received rivastigmine treatment were at an increased risk of death in the follow-up period. The higher risk of death in the rivastigmine group remained significant in multivariate Cox regression models.

scholarly journals Long-term exposure to road traffic noise and stroke incidence: a Danish Nurse Cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Cole-Hunter ◽  
Christian Dehlendorff ◽  
Heresh Amini ◽  
Amar Mehta ◽  
Youn-Hee Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
World Health ◽  
Road Traffic Noise ◽  
Stroke Incidence ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Road traffic noise has been linked to increased risk of ischemic heart disease, yet evidence on stroke shows mixed results. We examine the association between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and incidence of stroke, overall and by subtype (ischemic or hemorrhagic), after adjustment for air pollution. Methods Twenty-five thousand six hundred and sixty female nurses from the Danish Nurse Cohort recruited in 1993 or 1999 were followed for stroke-related first-ever hospital contact until December 31st, 2014. Full residential address histories since 1970 were obtained and annual means of road traffic noise (Lden [dB]) and air pollutants (particulate matter with diameter < 2.5 μm and < 10 μm [PM2.5 and PM10], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], nitrogen oxides [NOx]) were determined using validated models. Time-varying Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) (95% confidence intervals [CI]) for the associations of one-, three-, and 23-year running means of Lden preceding stroke (all, ischemic or hemorrhagic), adjusting for stroke risk factors and air pollutants. The World Health Organization and the Danish government’s maximum exposure recommendations of 53 and 58 dB, respectively, were explored as potential Lden thresholds. Results Of 25,660 nurses, 1237 developed their first stroke (1089 ischemic, 148 hemorrhagic) during 16 years mean follow-up. For associations between a 1-year mean of Lden and overall stroke incidence, the estimated HR (95% CI) in the fully adjusted model was 1.06 (0.98–1.14) per 10 dB, which attenuated to 1.01 (0.93–1.09) and 1.00 (0.91–1.09) in models further adjusted for PM2.5 or NO2, respectively. Associations for other exposure periods or separately for ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were similar. There was no evidence of a threshold association between Lden and stroke. Conclusions Long-term exposure to road traffic noise was suggestively positively associated with the risk of overall stroke, although not after adjusting for air pollution.

scholarly journals Sleep Disturbance as a Potential Modifiable Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eiko Minakawa ◽  
Keiji Wada ◽  
Yoshitaka Nagai
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Impaired Sleep

Sleep disturbance is a common symptom in patients with various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and it can manifest in the early stages of the disease. Impaired sleep in patients with AD has been attributed to AD pathology that affects brain regions regulating the sleep–wake or circadian rhythm. However, recent epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated an association between impaired sleep and an increased risk of AD. These studies have led to the idea of a bidirectional relationship between AD and impaired sleep; in addition to the conventional concept that impaired sleep is a consequence of AD pathology, various evidence strongly suggests that impaired sleep is a risk factor for the initiation and progression of AD. Despite this recent progress, much remains to be elucidated in order to establish the benefit of therapeutic interventions against impaired sleep to prevent or alleviate the disease course of AD. In this review, we provide an overview of previous studies that have linked AD and sleep. We then highlight the studies that have tested the causal relationship between impaired sleep and AD and will discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this link. We also propose future works that will aid the development of a novel disease-modifying therapy and prevention of AD via targeting impaired sleep through non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.

scholarly journals Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Mental Health in Individuals with Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Natalia Soldevila-Domenech ◽  
Laura Forcano ◽  
Anna Boronat ◽  
Thais Lorenzo ◽  
Iris Piera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽  
Threshold Values ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

We explored the impact of the Spanish COVID-19 strict home confinement on mental health and cognition in non-infected subjects (N = 16, 60–80 years) diagnosed with subjective cognitive decline and APOE ɛ3/ɛ4 carriers. Mental health was monitored for 2 months on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, and compared to pre-confinement values. Emotional distress, anxiety, and depression scores increased to pathological threshold values during and after confinement. Those with lower mood during confinement experienced a decline in their mood after confinement. Cognition did not change. These preliminary results suggest that mental health consequences of corona measures in preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease should be further evaluated.

scholarly journals Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution and The Risk of Developing Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella Chin-Shaw Tsai ◽  
Yi-Chao Hsu ◽  
Jung-Nien Lai ◽  
Ruey-Hwang Chou ◽  
Hueng-Chuen Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background The association between exposure to air pollution and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has not been extensively discussed in the literature. Therefore, we conducted this nationwide study to evaluate the risk of SSNHL in Taiwanese residents with exposure to air pollution.Methods We enrolled subjects aged older than 20 years with no history of SSNHL from 1998 to 2010, and followed up until developing SSNHL, withdrawn from the National Health Insurance program, and the end of the database (2011/12/31). The air quality data are managed by Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. The annual concentrations of PM2.5, SO2, CO, NO, and NO2 from 1998 to 2010 were classified into the three levels according to tertiles. We calculated the annual average of pollutants from baseline until the end of the study, and classified into tertiles. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) was estimated by using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model.Results When considered continuous air pollutants concentration, subjects who exposed with higher concentration of CO (aHR=2.19, 95%CI=1.52-3.15), NO (aHR=1.02, 95%CI=1.01-1.03), and NO2 (aHR=1.02, 95%CI=1.01-1.04) developing significant higher risk of SSNHL.When classified air pollutants concentration into low, moderate and high level by tertiles, and selected low level as reference, patients exposed with moderate (aHR=1.58, 95%CI=1.21-2.06) or high level (aHR=1.32, 95%CI=1.00-1.74) of PM2.5 showed significant higher risk of developing SSNHL.Conclusion This study indicated an increased risk of SSNHL in residents with long-term exposure to air pollution. Nevertheless, further experimental and clinical studies are needed to validate the study findings.Disclosure statementAll authors declare that there is no conflicts of interest. This study was approved in part by Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare Clinical Trial and Research Center of Excellence (MOHW105-TDU-B-212-133019). The committee agree to waive the requirement for consent.

Diabetes Mellitus Is a Risk Factor for Vascular Dementia, but Not for Alzheimer's Disease: A Population-Based Study of the Oldest Old

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda B. Hassing ◽  
Boo Johansson ◽  
Sven E. Nilsson ◽  
Stig Berg ◽  
Nancy L. Pedersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Diabetes Diagnosis ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine if Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for dementia in very old age, specifically for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD). Methods: We evaluated the risk of dementia in relation to Type 2 diabetes using a population-based sample of 702 individuals aged 80 years and older (mean age 83 years). A total of 187 persons received a dementia diagnosis. Thirty-one individuals had a diabetes diagnosis prior to onset of the dementia. Results: Cox proportional hazard analyses, adjusted for age, gender, education, smoking habits, and circulatory diseases, indicated an elevated risk to develop VaD (relative risk = 2.54, 95% confidence interval 1.35–4.78) in individuals with diabetes mellitus. No association was found between diabetes and AD. Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes is selectively related to the different subtypes of dementia. There is no increased risk of AD but more than a twofold risk of VaD in persons with diabetes.

scholarly journals Older Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Cortical Atrophy Who Develop Post-Operative Delirium May Be at Increased Risk of Long-Term Cognitive Decline After Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-199
Author(s):  
Annie M. Racine ◽  
Alexandra Touroutoglou ◽  
Tatiana Abrantes ◽  
Bonnie Wong ◽  
Tamara G. Fong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Cortical Atrophy ◽  
Increased Risk

scholarly journals Using epidemiology to estimate the impact and burden of exposure to air pollutants

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2183) ◽  
pp. 20190321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M. Gowers ◽  
Heather Walton ◽  
Karen S. Exley ◽  
J. Fintan Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Particulate Air Pollution ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
The Impact

This paper focuses on the use of results of epidemiological studies to quantify the effects on health, particularly on mortality, of long-term exposure to air pollutants. It introduces health impact assessment methods, used to predict the benefits that can be expected from implementation of interventions to reduce emissions of pollutants. It also explains the estimation of annual mortality burdens attributable to current levels of pollution. Burden estimates are intended to meet the need to communicate the size of the effect of air pollution on public health to policy makers and others. The implications, for the interpretation of the estimates, of the assumptions and approximations underlying the methods are discussed. The paper starts with quantification based on results obtained from studies of the association of mortality risk with long-term average concentrations of particulate air pollution. It then tackles the additional methodological considerations that need to be addressed when also considering the mortality effects of other pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). Finally, approaches that could be used to integrate morbidity and mortality endpoints in the same assessment are touched upon. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Air quality, past present and future’.

P.5.a.003 Increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in benzodiazepine long-term users: a case–control study

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. S626
Author(s):  
S. Billioti de Gage ◽  
Y. Moride ◽  
T. Ducruet ◽  
T. Kurth ◽  
H. Verdoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Control Study
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