Is fine particulate matter linked to dementia?

Investigators explored whether exposure to fine particulate matter or nitrogen dioxide may increase the risk of developing Lewy body or Parkinson’s disease-related dementias.

In a population-based study published in JAMA Network Open, investigators used 2001 to 2021 data from a Danish nationwide registry to examine the potential health associations between particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns or nitrogen dioxide among more than 3,000 patients with Lewy body dementia and nearly 4,000 patients with Parkinson’s disease-related dementia compared with nearly 70,000 age-, sex- and time-matched controls.

The investigators found that exposure to PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide were both correlated with a later risk of experiencing Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease-related dementia following adjustment.

The findings highlighted the potential neurologic risks associated with exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.

Read more: JAMA Network Open

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