Cited by 35Air Quality and Health ImpactsDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchHealth, Environment, Cognitive Aging

Air Pollution as Risk Factor for Mental Disorders: In Search for a Possible Link with Alzheimer’s Disease and Schizophrenia

Attademo, Luigi, Bernardini, Francesco·2020·Journal of Alzheimer s Disease

Abstract

As a global problem that has increasingly been causing worldwide concern, air pollution poses a significant and serious environmental risk to health. Risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as various types of cancer, have been consistently associated with the exposure to air pollutants. More recently, various studies have also shown that the central nervous system is also attacked by air pollution. Air pollution appears to be strongly associated with a higher risk of cognitive defects, neurodevelopmental (e.g., schizophrenia) and neurodegenerative (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) disorders. Subjects with schizophrenia, as well as subjects with Alzheimer's disease, experience a variety of neuropsychological deficits and cognitive impairments. This determines an adverse effect on social and professional functioning, and it contributes to the long-term disease burden. However, no final conclusions have been drawn on the matter of the direct relationship between schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, the topic of urbanicity and mental health has become increasingly important. Urban exposure to environmental toxins and pollution is currently described as a reliable risk factor for schizophrenia and other psychoses, and it has been demonstrated more and more how exposure to air pollutants is associated with increased risk of dementia. Pathways by which air pollution can target and damage the brain, leading to an increased risk for developing schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, are multiple and complex. Results from epidemiological studies suggest potential associations, but are still insufficient to confirm causality. Further studies are needed in order to verify this hypothesis. And if confirmed, the clinical implications could be of substantial relevance for both public and mental health.

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Crossref · 10.3233/jad-200289

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Authors
Attademo, L., & Bernardini, F.
Affiliations
  • Regione Basilicata (IT)
  • University of Edinburgh (GB)
Venue
Journal of Alzheimer s Disease
Published
2020-06-15
Volume
76
Issue
3
Pages
825-830
ISSN
  • 1387-2877 (ISSN-L)
  • 1875-8908
OpenAlex
W3036260816
Cited by
35
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 3
FWCI
0.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Alzheimer s Disease (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Air Quality and Health Impacts
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
Keywords
air pollution, mental illness
MeSH terms
Air Pollutants, Air Pollution, Alzheimer Disease, Environmental Exposure, Humans, Schizophrenia, Cognitive Dysfunction

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