TRAFFIC POLLUTION EXPOSURE’S EFFECTS ON BRAIN FUNCTION

BY: TEJA KUWAYAMA

It was long believed that the brain was protected from pollution's damaging impacts. However, a recent study, by researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria, has shown that merely two hours of exposure to diesel exhaust reduces the brain’s functional connectivity.

The research team exposed 25 (healthy) adults to diesel exhaust and filtered air, measuring their brain activity before and after each exposure using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The fMRI displayed reduced functional connectivity in widespread areas of the brain’s default mode network (DMN), providing the first proof in humans from a controlled experiment of impaired brain function. Disrupted DMN connectivity has been linked to diminished cognitive performance and symptoms of depression. While the participant’s connectivity returned to normal after exposure Dr. Chris Carlsten (professor and head of respiratory medicine and the Canada Research Chair in occupational and environmental lung disease at UBC) postulates that long-lasting effects may be possible in cases of continuous exposure.

The effects of air pollution have been seen across all major organ systems. Dr. Carlsren stated that “people may want to think twice the next time they're stuck in traffic with the windows rolled down”.

Air pollution has been identified as the greatest environmental threat to human health, showcasing the importance of further evaluating and mitigating its impacts.