Shocking Cause Behind Changes In Kids’ Brain Development
Air pollution levels that are considered safe by U.S. standards may still have negative effects on the brain development of children, according to a recent review. Camelia Hostinar, an associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and her team found that children exposed to higher levels of air pollution show differences in brain development compared to those with lower exposure.
The review examined 40 studies, most of which connected outdoor air pollution to changes in children’s brains, including the amount of “white matter.” These changes could potentially affect cognitive abilities and may even serve as early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. The developing brains of children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, as they absorb more contaminants relative to their body weight compared to adults.
The researchers suggest that parents and policymakers should take action by adding air filters to homes and schools near high-pollution areas, such as freeways, to protect children. They also recommended that future studies on brain and health outcomes include air quality measurements to better understand its impact on children’s brain health.
The review looked at studies from various regions, including the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia, which compared pollution levels to brain outcomes in children from newborns to 18 years old. Some studies used brain imaging, while others analyzed chemical changes that affect brain function or looked for tumors in the brain and central nervous system. Significant differences were found in children living in highly polluted areas, even when pollution levels met local air-quality standards.
The findings, published in the journal Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, highlight the need to further investigate how air pollution affects the brain during different stages of development. Co-author Johnna Swartz emphasized the importance of focusing on children’s unique vulnerabilities, while Anthony Wexler, director of UC Davis’ Air Quality Research Center, noted that researchers are now giving more attention to environmental factors like air pollution in connection to brain-related issues such as autism and Alzheimer’s.
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