As air pollution levels continue to rise, we find ourselves increasingly exposed to detrimental air quality. Sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, and wildfires contribute to this pollution, which poses significant risks to our respiratory and cardiovascular health. Recent research indicates that inhaling polluted air may also be linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and autism.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, elucidates a mechanism that may disrupt the normal functioning of brain cells, impairing their ability to communicate and connect, ultimately resulting in cellular damage.

Findings of the study:

Key findings from the study reveal that while the association between polluted air and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and autism has been established, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. The researchers examined a biological process known as S-nitrosylation, wherein a nitric oxide-related molecule binds to sulfur atoms in proteins, altering their functionality. This process, often initiated by inflammation, aging, and exposure to environmental toxins, can interfere with brain cell operations.

Stuart Lipton, the Step Family Foundation Endowed Chair at Scripps Research and a clinical neurologist based in La Jolla, California, remarked, “Epidemiologists have demonstrated that air pollution from sources such as wildfires, vehicle exhaust, and tobacco smoke releases fine particulate matter and nitric oxide-related compounds (PM2.5/NOx), which may play a role in the development of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and autism.”

The research involved the examination of brain cells cultivated in a laboratory setting to investigate the mechanisms of S-nitrosylation and its potential impact on normal brain function. Subsequently, these findings were contrasted with human nerve cells obtained from stem cells of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers found that S-nitrosylation inhibits a specific protein from engaging with another protein that plays a crucial role in the connections between brain cells, memory development, and cellular viability. This indicates that exposure to toxic substances and inflammatory processes may contribute to the onset of neurological disorders.

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