随着人类年龄的增长，大脑中的神经元开始退化并萎缩。新的研究表明，持续暴露于空气污染可能会减少大脑体积，导致老化问题，如中风和认知障碍。
As humans age, the neurons in the brain begin to deteriorate and it shrinks in size. A new study illustrates that constant exposure to air pollution may decrease the volume of the brain just as aging does, leading to issues such as silent strokes and cognitive impairment.
The study, authored by Elissa H. Wilker, a researcher in the cardiovascular epidemiology research unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, attempted to understand the link between air pollution and brain changes in older adults.
The team of researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the brain structures of 943 healthy adults who were at least 60 years old. The researchers then compared the findings with the amount of fine-particle air pollution near the participant’s homes.
Fine-particle pollution, caused by car exhaust, industry and other sources, is common in an average city. The study found that 2 micrograms per cubic meter of fine-particle pollution was linked to a 0.32 percent reduction in brain volume. According to Wilker, this is equal to one year of brain aging.
