Weekly Digest
07.06.2021
Air quality linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's diseaseResearchers at the University of California, Davis, have found a link between traffic pollution and an increased risk of age-related dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
One of the key trends of modern development is the focus on sustainable development, which implies harmonious development in terms of environmental, social and economic components. According to WHO experts
, 23% of human diseases are caused
by environmental factors.
Millions of tons of various exhaust gases, waste, toxic chemicals, radioactive substances, and others are released into the atmosphere, into water basins, and into underground waters. There are also factors of microdose, long-term and hidden effects on humans: electromagnetic fields and a number of toxic chemicals that are not felt by humans. The human body temporarily adapts to these microdose factors. However, the hidden effect of these factors can accumulate and sooner or later manifest itself in certain disorders and diseases. For example, researchers at the University of California (Davis, USA) have identified a link between air pollution due to transport and a high risk of developing dementia, including the deadly and incurable Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive deterioration of memory and intelligence. Forgetfulness and problems with time orientation are the first signs of this disease. During the study, which lasted 14 months, the scientists exposed the rats to purified and polluted air. The experts used not only wild-type rodents, but also those that had genes that contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease, as well as similar human DNA. The rodents were tested at months 3, 6, 10, and 15 to quantify the likely manifestations of dementia. It turned out that air pollution increased the biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease not only in animals that express the risk gene, but also in wild-type rats. So, in the brains of animals, ultrafine solid particles were found, whose level in the air is not tracked, unlike particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5).
More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, and the number is expected to triple by 2050 as the population ages. Health care costs for these patients are projected to rise from $ 305 billion in 2020 to $ 1.1 trillion by 2050. In the United States, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of age-related dementia and the sixth leading cause of death. |
70%. Currently, more than $ 604 billion is spent annually on the treatment and care of people with dementia worldwide. This includes the cost of providing health and social care, as well as the reduction or loss of income for people with dementia and those who care for them. Expert opinion: According to the researchers, poor air quality may actually contribute to the development of dementia in old age and explain why the number of cases of Alzheimer's disease is increasing worldwide. According to scientists, it is necessary to review the current standards, as they do not exclude harmful effects on the aging brain. Traffic-related air pollution is a risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. There are no official statistics on this disease in Kazakhstan. In most cases, the diagnosis is replaced with others, such as progressive encephalopathy.organic delusional disorder.organic personality disorder, and others. People with dementia are left alone with the disease. In addition, Alzheimer's disease is not included in the list of diseases supported by state funding. According to preliminary calculations, today there are about 170 thousand people with senile dementia in Kazakhstan (2017 data). According to Zhibek Zholdassova (psychiatrist of the highest category), the word "Alzheimer's" 50 years ago was known to few, it was not relevant. And now the threshold of life expectancy in Kazakhstan is increasing, and the risk of getting sick begins at the age of 60. Health care in developed countries prioritizes Alzheimer's disease. They fight for the life expectancy of their citizens, so that they live long and at the same time benefit the state as much as possible. Currently, only 8 countries in the world have national action programmes for dementia. According to the recommendations of the new report "Dementia is a public health priority" published by WHO and Alzheimer's Disease International, the programs aim to improve early diagnosis, raise public awareness of the disease, and strengthen support for caregivers.
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The ongoing research provides an incentive to re-evaluate existing regulatory standards for air cleanliness and suggests that current standards do not protect the aging brain.
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Saved: 15.06.2021
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