Air pollution link with dementia and stroke risk

UK researchers have been looking at how air pollution contributes to dementia and brain ill-health.

Stroke is the second-leading cause of death globally, accounting for about 11% of deaths. About 50 million people live with dementia, and the figure is expected to rise to about 150 million by 2050.

A study has looked at the health of more than 413,000 people taking part in the UK Biobank project. All were between 40 and 69 years old and free of dementia, cancer or stroke at the start of the study. Their health was tracked, focusing on the association between air pollution and the transition from being healthy to having a stroke, dementia or both.

Over the course of 11 years, 6,484 people had a stroke, 3,813 developed dementia and 376 had a stroke and developed dementia. Having allowed for other risk factors, the researchers found relationships between long-term air pollution exposure and acquiring dementia, as well as developing dementia after a stroke.

A UK government committee of experts reviewed 69 studies and concluded in 2022 that it was likely air pollution accelerated cognitive decline in elderly people and increased the risk of developing dementia.