Emerging evidence suggests a link between lifetime exposure to low-quality air with altered neurodevelopment and the incidence of neurodegenerative conditions, including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Recent research also suggests that short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution can temporarily impair key cognitive functions such as processing speed, global cognitive functioning, and decision-making.
In the current study, researchers investigated whether exposure to high PM concentrations negatively impacts cognitive functioning after four hours. To do so, they recruited 26 adults aged 27.7 years old on average and asked them to participate in four conditions for one hour each: high PM concentration or clean air experienced either via normal inhalation or restricted nasal inhalation and olfaction via a nose clip.
Participants completed four cognitive tests before exposure and four hours later for working memory, selective attention, emotion expression discrimination, and psychomotor vigilance.
Ultimately, the researchers found that air pollution reduced selective attention and emotion expression discrimination among participants. They noted, however, that air quality did not significantly affect psychomotor vigilance or working memory performance and that the inhalation method did not significantly affect results.
"Our study provides compelling evidence that even short-term exposure to particulate matter can have immediate negative effects on brain functions essential for daily activities, such as doing the weekly supermarket shop," said co-author of the study, Dr Thomas Faherty, from the University of Birmingham, in a press release.
"Reduced productivity impacts economic growth, further highlighting the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations and public health measures to combat the harmful effects of pollution on brain health, particularly in highly polluted urban areas," noted co-author of the study, Professor Francis Pope, from the University of Birmingham in a press release.
Sources: Science Daily, Nature Communications
