Pnas, Peer-reviewed journal

London, June 21 Breathing in polluted air could lead to toxic particles being transported from lungs to brain, via the bloodstream, potentially contributing to brain disorders and neurological damage, a new study reveals.An international team of experts from the University of Birmingham in the UK and research institutions in China discovered that inhaled particles can enter the bloodstream after crossing the air-blood barrier, eventually reaching the brain, and leading to damage of the brain-blood barrier and surrounding tissues as they do so. Once in the brain, the particles were hard to clear and were retained for longer than in other organs.For the study, published in the journal PNAS, the team analysed various fine particles in human cerebrospinal fluids taken from patients who had experienced brain disorders, uncovering a process which may result in toxic particulate substances ending up in the brain."There are gaps in our knowledge around the harmful effects of airborne fine particles on the central nervous system. This work sheds new light on the link between inhaling particles and how they subsequently move around the body," said Professor Iseult Lynch, from the University of Birmingham."The data suggests that up to eight times the number of fine particles may reach the brain by travelling, via the bloodstream, from the lungs than pass directly via the nose, adding new evidence on the relationship between air pollution and detrimental effects of such particles on the brain," Lynch added.Air pollution is a cocktail of many toxic components, but particulate matter (PM, especially ambient fine particles such as PM2.5 and PM0.1), are the most concerning in terms of causing detrimental health effects. Ultrafine particles, in particular, are able to escape the body's protective systems, including sentinel immune cells and biological barriers.Recent evidence has revealed a strong link between high levels of air pollution and marked neuroinflammation, Alzheimer's-like changes and cognitive problems in older people and even in children.While the findings offer new evidence in proving the risks from particulate pollution to the central nervous system, the researchers recommend that more investigation is needed into the mechanics of how inhaled ambient fine particles reach the brain.Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

PnasFOLLOW

Pnas, Latest News

Researchers analyzed the structures of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant and its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), to gain insight into the variant's potential animal reservoir. ...

The findings of a new study led by a CNRS researcher, for the first time, used zinc isotope analysis to determine the position of Neanderthals in the food chain. ...

The cerebellum is best known for its role in motor control. According to researchers at the University of Basel, the cerebellum is also important in recalling emotional memories. ...

The cerebellum is most recognised for its role in movement control. The cerebellum is also vital in recalling emotional memories, according to researchers at the University of Basel. ...

Infants can distinguish most sounds soon after birth, and by age one, they start to become language-specific listeners. However, researchers are still trying to figure out how babies recognise which acoustic dimensions of their language are contrasti ...

Peer comparison information can have both pros and cons, especially when it comes to the well-being of a physician. ...

According to a study, brain recordings show that ripples are ubiquitous and occur simultaneously in widely distributed brain regions during human sleep, waking, and memory recall. ...

London, June 21 Breathing in polluted air could lead to toxic particles being transported from lungs to brain, ... ...