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King C. Commentary: Air pollution and neurodevelopmental disorders: a cause for concern in an urbanising world. Glob Public Health 2025; 20:2492234. [PMID: 40249163 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2492234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2025]
Abstract
The world's population is rapidly urbanising, especially in low- to middle-income countries. However, urban living is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) like autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia. Exposure to urban air pollutants like particulate matter has been positively associated with both ASD and schizophrenia diagnosis rates. Mechanistic studies have shown that particulate matter exposure leads to brain inflammation and white matter pathologies consistent with these disorders. Children are especially susceptible to these effects due to their rapidly developing nervous systems. Despite this, few reviews on the subject recommend future steps to mitigate the teratogenic effects of particulate air pollution. This commentary both synthesises evidence and recommends research and policy goals to protect children, both present and future, from the neurodevelopmental consequences of particulate air pollution. These steps include further study of the relationship between air pollution and equitable resource distribution to address the coming global rises in NDD. Furthermore, capacity building in urbanising nations is essential to overcome barriers erected by resource extraction and pollution outsourcing by wealthy nations. With such an integrated approach, progress can be made in protecting the developing nervous systems of children and future generations in both affluent and resource-strained nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole King
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Master of Public Health Program, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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Morrel J, Dong M, Rosario MA, Cotter DL, Bottenhorn KL, Herting MM. A systematic review of air pollution exposure and brain structure and function during development. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2025; 275:121368. [PMID: 40073924 PMCID: PMC12086053 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2025] [Accepted: 03/09/2025] [Indexed: 03/14/2025]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Air pollutants are known neurotoxicants. In this updated systematic review, we evaluate new evidence since our 2019 systematic review on the effect of outdoor air pollution exposure on childhood and adolescent brain structure and function as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS Using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus we conducted an updated literature search and systematic review of articles published through January 2025, using key terms for air pollution and functional and/or structural MRI. Two raters independently screened all articles using Covidence and implemented the risk of bias instrument for systematic reviews used to inform the World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines. RESULTS We identified 29 relevant papers, and 20 new studies met our inclusion criteria. Including six studies from our 2019 review, the 26 publications to date include study populations from the United States, Netherlands, Spain, and United Kingdom. Studies investigated exposure periods spanning pregnancy through early adolescence, and estimated air pollutant exposure levels via personal monitoring, geospatial residential estimates, or school courtyard monitors. Brain MRI occurred when children were on average 6-14.7 years old; however, one study assessed newborns. Several MRI modalities were leveraged, including structural morphology, diffusion tensor imaging, restriction spectrum imaging, arterial spin labeling, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as resting-state and task-based functional MRI. Air pollutants were associated with widespread brain differences, although the magnitude and direction of findings are largely inconsistent, making it difficult to draw strong conclusions. CONCLUSION Prenatal and childhood exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with structural and functional brain variations. Compared to our initial 2019 review comprised of only cross-sectional studies, the current literature now includes longitudinal studies and more advanced neuroimaging methods. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of developmental timing, along with the downstream implications of outdoor air pollution exposure on children's cognitive and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Morrel
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Dong
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael A Rosario
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Devyn L Cotter
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L Bottenhorn
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Megan M Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Whitworth KW, Lertxundi A, Yuan M, Rector-Houze A, Chen WJ, Guxens M, Julvez J, Swartz M, Symanski E, Valentin A, Iniguez C, González-Safont LL, Ibarluzea J. Early life exposure to fine particulate matter and fine motor function, attentional function, and working memory among Spanish school-aged children. Environ Epidemiol 2025; 9:e396. [PMID: 40375972 PMCID: PMC12080699 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2025] [Accepted: 04/17/2025] [Indexed: 05/18/2025] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence of the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and child neuropsychological function is equivocal. We examined early life PM2.5 exposure in relation to fine motor function, attention, and working memory in early childhood. Methods We used data from the Spanish INfancia y Medio Ambiente Project, 2003-2008. Exposure to PM2.5 (μg/m3) was assessed using spatiotemporal land-use random forest models and assigned based on residential address histories. Around age six, children completed the finger tapping test, attentional network test (ANT), and n-back task to evaluate fine motor speed, attention, and working memory, respectively. A total of 1,310 children had data from at least one neuropsychological assessment. General linear models were applied to assess associations between average prenatal and postnatal PM2.5 with each outcome. Distributed lag nonlinear models were used to explore refined periods of susceptibility to PM2.5. We reported β estimates and 99% credible intervals (CrI) representing the change in each outcome per 5-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5. Results Prenatal PM2.5 exposure was associated with decreased mean hit reaction time (HRT) (β = -21.82; 99% CrI = -64.1, 20.4) and HRT-standard error (β = -9.7; 99% CrI = -30.3, 10.9) on the ANT but estimates were imprecise. Postnatal PM2.5 was associated with reduced mean HRT on the n-back task (β = -39.4; 99% CrI = -115.1, 26.3). We observed sensitive periods of exposure in the postnatal period associated with both better and worse performance on the finger-tapping test and ANT. Conclusions We found limited evidence to support an association between PM2.5 exposure and fine motor function, attentional function, or working memory in school-aged children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina W. Whitworth
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Aitana Lertxundi
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Mingze Yuan
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Alison Rector-Houze
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, Texas
| | - Wei-Jen Chen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mònica Guxens
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Julvez
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical and Epidemiological Neurocience Group (NeuroEpia), Institut d’Investigacio Sanitària Pere Virgili, Reus (Tarragona), Spain
| | - Michael Swartz
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, Texas
| | - Elaine Symanski
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Antonia Valentin
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Iniguez
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Universitat de València, València, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - Llúcia L. González-Safont
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, València, Spain
- Nursing and Chiropody Faculty of Valencia University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Ibarluzea
- Spanish Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastian, Spain
- Faculty of Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain
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Sukumaran K, Bottenhorn KL, Rosario MA, Cardenas-Iniguez C, Habre R, Abad S, Schwartz J, Hackman DA, Chen JC, Herting MM. Sources and components of fine air pollution exposure and brain morphology in preadolescents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2025; 979:179448. [PMID: 40273521 PMCID: PMC12068380 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2025] [Revised: 03/25/2025] [Accepted: 04/13/2025] [Indexed: 04/26/2025]
Abstract
Air pollution is an emerging novel neurotoxicant during childhood and adolescence. However, little is known regarding how fine particulate matter (PM2.5) components and its sources impact brain morphology. We investigated air pollution exposure-related differences in brain morphology using cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging data from 10,095 children ages 9-11 years-old enrolled in the United States' Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study [2016-2018]. Air pollution estimates included fifteen PM2.5 constituent chemicals and metals, and six major sources of PM2.5 (e.g., crustal materials, biomass burning, traffic) identified from prior source apportionment, as well as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3). After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and neuroimaging covariates, we used partial least squares analyses to identify associations between simultaneous co-exposures and morphological differences in cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volumes. We found that greater exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with decreases in frontal and increases in inferior temporal surface area. PM2.5 component and source analyses linked cortical surface area and thickness to biomass burning (e.g., organic carbon, potassium), crustal material (e.g., calcium, silicon), and traffic (e.g., copper, iron) exposures, while smaller subcortical volumes were linked to greater potassium exposure. This is the first study to show differential effects of several air pollution sources on development of children's brains. Significant associations were found in brain structures involved in several cognitive and social processes, including lower- and higher-order sensory processing, socioemotional behaviors, and executive functioning. These findings highlight differential effects of several air pollution sources on brain structure in preadolescents across the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirthana Sukumaran
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Katherine L Bottenhorn
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Michael A Rosario
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Rima Habre
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF B55, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Shermaine Abad
- Department of Radiology, University of California - San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0841, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Daniel A Hackman
- USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - J C Chen
- Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Megan M Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, 1845 N. Soto St, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
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Zhu Y, Chen X, Liu C, Zhou L, Chen R, Xuan J, Kan H, Ding J. Ambient air pollution and hospitalisation for epilepsy in China: A nationwide, individual-level case-crossover study. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2025; 494:138707. [PMID: 40424805 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2025] [Revised: 05/20/2025] [Accepted: 05/21/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025]
Abstract
Emerging evidence has indicated the detrimental effects of air pollutants on the central nervous system (CNS). However, few studies have examined the impact of air pollution on epilepsy morbidity at a nationwide scale in China. To address this gap, we conducted an individual-level, nationwide case-crossover study to investigate the association between air pollutants and epilepsy-related hospitalisations. Daily air pollution concentrations were estimated using high-resolution (1 km) satellite-based exposure models, and hospitalisation data were collected from 153 hospitals across 20 provinces in China between 2005 and 2020. Analysing data from 14,747 patients, we observed increased risks of epilepsy hospitalisations associated with exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3), with significant increases of 4.5 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.9 %, 8.4 %) and 4.9 % (95 % CI: 0.8 %, 9.3 %) per interquartile range (IQR) increment in lag 0 day exposure, respectively. The exposure-response curve for NO2 was approximately linear at low concentrations but plateaued above 30 μg/m3. For O3, the curve was flat at lower levels and steeper at higher concentrations. Female patients and children were more susceptible to NO2 exposure, with 10.5 % and 9.1 % increases in hospitalisations per IQR increment, respectively. O3-related risks were more pronounced among patients in northern regions and during the warm season. This individual-level, nationwide case-crossover study provides the first evidence that short-term exposure to NO2 and O3 elevates the risk of epilepsy-related hospitalisations. These findings underscore the need for stricter air quality standard to mitigate the detrimental effects of air pollution on CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Zhu
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai,200032, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai,200032, China
| | - Lu Zhou
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai,200032, China
| | - Renjie Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai,200032, China
| | - Jianwei Xuan
- Health Economic Research Institute, School of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai,200032, China; National Center for Children's Health, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China.
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Besaratinia A. Electronic Cigarette-Derived Metals: Exposure and Health Risks in Vapers. Chem Res Toxicol 2025; 38:542-556. [PMID: 40094421 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2025]
Abstract
Despite the popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) among adolescent and youth never-smokers and adult smokers seeking a less harmful substitute for tobacco cigarettes, the long-term health impact of vaping is largely unknown. Biochemical, molecular, and toxicological analyses of biospecimens from e-cig users as well as assays in relevant in vitro models and in silico studies can identify chemical constituents of e-cig emissions that may contribute to the disease-causing potential of vaping. E-cig aerosol contains a wide range of toxic and carcinogenic compounds, of which metals are of particular concern. This is due to the known or suspected role of various metals in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. Many metals and metalloids (herein referred to as "metals") have been detected in e-cig liquid (e-liquid) and aerosol and/or in cells, tissues, biofluids, or other specimens from e-cig users. Metals can contaminate the ingredients of e-liquid or corrode from the internal components of the e-cig device. Metals may also be directly aerosolized from the surface of the heating element or other parts of the device. Inhalation of e-cig metal emissions in habitual vapers and nonusers through secondary exposure may increase the body burden of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. This review summarizes the state of research on e-cig-derived metals and their contributions to the estimated health risks of vaping. Highlighting the chemical composition of e-cig liquid and aerosol, it focuses on the metal contents of the inhaled aerosol and the health risks associated with this exposure. Emphasis is placed on adolescents and youth who are vulnerable populations and bear a disproportionate burden of risk and harm from tobacco products. The gaps in knowledge, methodological challenges, and opportunities ahead are discussed. The importance of translating research findings into actionable information that can be used for the regulation of the manufacturing of tobacco products is underscored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Besaratinia
- Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
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7
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Calderón-Garcidueñas L, Cejudo-Ruiz FR, Stommel EW, González-Maciel A, Reynoso-Robles R, Silva-Pereyra HG, Pérez-Guille BE, Soriano-Rosales RE, Torres-Jardón R. Sleep and Arousal Hubs and Ferromagnetic Ultrafine Particulate Matter and Nanoparticle Motion Under Electromagnetic Fields: Neurodegeneration, Sleep Disorders, Orexinergic Neurons, and Air Pollution in Young Urbanites. TOXICS 2025; 13:284. [PMID: 40278600 PMCID: PMC12030987 DOI: 10.3390/toxics13040284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2025] [Revised: 03/13/2025] [Accepted: 03/24/2025] [Indexed: 04/26/2025]
Abstract
Air pollution plays a key role in sleep disorders and neurodegeneration. Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and/or transactive response DNA-binding protein TDP-43 neuropathology have been documented in children and young adult forensic autopsies in the metropolitan area of Mexico City (MMC), along with sleep disorders, cognitive deficits, and MRI brain atrophy in seemingly healthy young populations. Ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) and industrial nanoparticles (NPs) reach urbanites' brains through nasal/olfactory, lung, gastrointestinal tract, and placental barriers. We documented Fe UFPM/NPs in neurovascular units, as well as lateral hypothalamic nucleus orexinergic neurons, thalamus, medullary, pontine, and mesencephalic reticular formation, and in pinealocytes. We quantified ferromagnetic materials in sleep and arousal brain hubs and examined their motion behavior to low magnetic fields in MMC brain autopsy samples from nine children and 25 adults with AD, PD, and TDP-43 neuropathology. Saturated isothermal remanent magnetization curves at 50-300 mT were associated with UFPM/NP accumulation in sleep/awake hubs and their motion associated with 30-50 µT (DC magnetic fields) exposure. Brain samples exposed to anthropogenic PM pollution were found to be sensitive to low magnetic fields, with motion behaviors that were potentially linked to the early development and progression of fatal neurodegenerative diseases and sleep disorders. Single-domain magnetic UFPM/NPs in the orexin system, as well as arousal, sleep, and autonomic regions, are key to neurodegeneration, behavioral and cognitive impairment, and sleep disorders. We need to identify children at higher risk and monitor environmental UFPM and NP emissions and exposures to magnetic fields. Ubiquitous ferrimagnetic particles and low magnetic field exposures are a threat to global brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas
- Biomedical Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- Escuela de Enfermeria, Universidad Autónoma de Piedras Negras, Piedras Negras 26000, Mexico
| | | | - Elijah W. Stommel
- Department of Neurology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA;
| | - Angélica González-Maciel
- Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City 04530, Mexico; (A.G.-M.); (R.R.-R.); (B.E.P.-G.); (R.E.S.-R.)
| | - Rafael Reynoso-Robles
- Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City 04530, Mexico; (A.G.-M.); (R.R.-R.); (B.E.P.-G.); (R.E.S.-R.)
| | - Héctor G. Silva-Pereyra
- Department of Advance Materials, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica AC, San Luis Potosi 78216, Mexico;
| | - Beatriz E. Pérez-Guille
- Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City 04530, Mexico; (A.G.-M.); (R.R.-R.); (B.E.P.-G.); (R.E.S.-R.)
| | | | - Ricardo Torres-Jardón
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
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Schleimer JP, Hajat A, Joseph G, Rivara F, Sun M, Rowhani-Rahbar A. Early childhood education and handgun carrying, serious fighting, and assault charges: a retrospective cohort study. HEALTH AFFAIRS SCHOLAR 2025; 3:qxaf070. [PMID: 40297393 PMCID: PMC12036515 DOI: 10.1093/haschl/qxaf070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2025] [Accepted: 04/02/2025] [Indexed: 04/30/2025]
Abstract
High-quality early childhood education may buffer against social and structural drivers of interpersonal violence. We examined the association of Head Start-a large-scale early childhood education program for low-income children, launched in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty-with handgun carrying, serious fighting, and assault charges among 4281 individuals born between 1980 and 1984 in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. We found that attending Head Start vs other childcare was associated with 0.77 times the risk of handgun carrying by age 31 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.99) and 0.79 times the risk of serious fighting by age 24 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.98) among Black males. No reduction in the risk of outcomes was observed among other subpopulations or when comparing Head Start with solely parental childcare. Expanding access to high-quality early childhood education programs may reduce later-life handgun carrying and serious fighting among those at highest risk, thus reducing racialized disparities. Results suggest that early-life investments in the social, economic, and human capital of structurally disadvantaged children and families may be effective and equitable tools to prevent violence and firearm-related harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia P Schleimer
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, WA, United States
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, WA, United States
| | - Anjum Hajat
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, WA, United States
| | - Gail Joseph
- College of Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
| | - Frederick Rivara
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, WA, United States
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Min Sun
- College of Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
| | - Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, WA, United States
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
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9
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Nunes ML, da Cunha AJLA. Neurodevelopment and climate change. J Pediatr (Rio J) 2025; 101 Suppl 1:S34-S39. [PMID: 39581565 PMCID: PMC11962550 DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2024.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2024] [Revised: 10/21/2024] [Accepted: 10/29/2024] [Indexed: 11/26/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article aims to assess the impact of climate change, a reality already present on the neurodevelopment of both neurotypical and atypical children. DATA SOURCES A narrative review of the literature was carried out based on articles available in the PubMed database, published in the last five years using the keywords neurodevelopment and climate change, as well as websites of organizations dedicated to childhood such as UNICEF, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Developing Childhood at Harvard University. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Children and adolescents are more directly affected by the effects of climate change due to their developmental stage and greater vulnerability. Prolonged exposure to air pollutants can affect brain development, resulting in cognitive and behavioral problems. Extreme weather events, such as floods, cyclones, and heat waves, can destroy essential infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, interrupting the educational process and access to health care. Changes in rainfall patterns and extreme droughts can affect food production, leading to malnutrition and food insecurity. Direct experience of natural disasters can cause stress and psychological trauma, affecting children's emotional and mental well-being. CONCLUSIONS Studies clearly demonstrate the potential impact of climate change on the neurodevelopment and mental health of children and adolescents. This topic should be part of the current agenda of pediatricians, not only treating the resulting illnesses but mainly acting on the front line and supporting proposals to attenuate the environmental disaster that has already occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Lahorgue Nunes
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Medicina, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto do Cérebro (InsCer), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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10
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Szwed M, de Jesus AV, Kossowski B, Ahmadi H, Rutkowska E, Mysak Y, Baumbach C, Kaczmarek-Majer K, Degórska A, Skotak K, Sitnik-Warchulska K, Lipowska M, Grellier J, Markevych I, Herting MM. Air pollution and cortical myelin T1w/T2w ratio estimates in school-age children from the ABCD and NeuroSmog studies. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2025; 73:101538. [PMID: 40086410 PMCID: PMC11952023 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2025.101538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2024] [Revised: 01/16/2025] [Accepted: 02/25/2025] [Indexed: 03/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Air pollution affects human health and may disrupt brain maturation, including axon myelination, critical for efficient neural signaling. Here, we assess the impact of prenatal and current long-term particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure on cortical T1w/T2w ratios - a proxy for myelin content - in school-age children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (United States; N = 2021) and NeuroSmog study (Poland; N = 577), using Siemens scanners. Across both samples, we found that NO2 and PM were not significantly associated with cortical T1w/T2w except for one association of PM10 with lower T1w/T2w in the precuneus in NeuroSmog. Superficially, ABCD Study analyses including data from all scanner types (Siemens, GE, Philips; N = 3089) revealed a negative association between NO₂ exposure and T1w/T2w ratios. However, this finding could be an artifact of between-site sociodemographic differences and large scanner-type-related measurement differences. While significant associations between air pollution and cortical myelin were largely absent, these findings do not rule out the possibility that air pollution affects cortical myelin during other exposure periods/stages of neurodevelopment. Future research should examine these relationships across diverse populations and developmental periods using unified analysis methods to better understand the potential neurotoxic effects of air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Szwed
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Alethea V de Jesus
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90063, USA
| | - Bartosz Kossowski
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hedyeh Ahmadi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90063, USA
| | - Emilia Rutkowska
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Yarema Mysak
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Clemens Baumbach
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Kaczmarek-Majer
- Institute of Environmental Protection-National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland; Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Degórska
- Institute of Environmental Protection-National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Skotak
- Institute of Environmental Protection-National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Sitnik-Warchulska
- Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Management and Social Communication, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lipowska
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - James Grellier
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland; Health and quality of life in a green and sustainable environment, SRIPD, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Environmental Health Division, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Megan M Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90063, USA; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
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11
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Liang SS, Roeckner AR, Ely TD, Lebois LAM, van Rooij SJH, Bruce SE, Jovanovic T, House SL, Beaudoin FL, An X, Neylan TC, Clifford GD, Linnstaedt SD, Germine LT, Rauch SL, Haran JP, Storrow AB, Lewandowski C, Musey PI, Hendry PL, Sheikh S, Pascual JL, Seamon MJ, Harris E, Pearson C, Peak DA, Merchant RC, Domeier RM, Rathlev NK, O'Neil BJ, Sergot P, Sanchez LD, Sheridan JF, Harte SE, Kessler RC, Koenen KC, McLean SA, Ressler KJ, Stevens JS, Webb EK, Harnett NG. Associations between residential segregation, ambient air pollution, and hippocampal features in recent trauma survivors. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2025:2025.02.18.25322464. [PMID: 40034773 PMCID: PMC11875236 DOI: 10.1101/2025.02.18.25322464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2025]
Abstract
Background Residential segregation is associated with differential exposure to air pollution. Hippocampus structure and function are highly susceptible to pollutants and associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development. Therefore, we investigated associations between residential segregation, air pollutants, hippocampal neurobiology, and PTSD in recent trauma survivors. Methods Participants (N = 278; 34% non-Hispanic white, 46% Non-Hispanic Black, 16% Hispanic) completed multimodal neuroimaging two weeks after trauma. Yearly averages of air pollutants (PM2.5 and NO2) and racial/economic segregation (Index of Concentration at the Extremes) were derived from each participant's address. Linear models assessed if air pollutants mediated associations between segregation and hippocampal volume, threat reactivity, or parahippocampal cingulum fractional anisotropy (FA) after covarying for age, sex, income, and 2-week PTSD symptoms. Further models evaluated if pollutants or segregation prospectively predicted PTSD symptoms six months post-trauma. Results Non-Hispanic Black participants lived in neighborhoods with significantly greater segregation and air pollution compared to Hispanic and non-Hispanic white participants (ps<.001). There was a significant indirect effect of NO2 between segregation and FA values (β = 0.08, 95% CI[0.01, 0.15]), and an indirect effect of PM2.5 between segregation and threat reactivity (β = -0.08, 95% CI[-0.14, -0.01]). There was no direct effect of segregation on hippocampal features. Pollutants and segregation were not associated with PTSD symptoms . Conclusion Residential segregation is associated with greater air pollution exposure, which is in turn associated with variability in hippocampal features among recent trauma survivors. Further research is needed to assess relationships between other environmental factors and trauma and stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia S Liang
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Alyssa R Roeckner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Timothy D Ely
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Lauren A M Lebois
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sanne J H van Rooij
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Steven E Bruce
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Stacey L House
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Francesca L Beaudoin
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02930, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02930, USA
| | - Xinming An
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27559, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27559, USA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Gari D Clifford
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Sarah D Linnstaedt
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27559, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27559, USA
| | - Laura T Germine
- Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- The Many Brains Project, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Scott L Rauch
- Institute for Technology in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - John P Haran
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Alan B Storrow
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | | | - Paul I Musey
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Phyllis L Hendry
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine -Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, 32209, USA
| | - Sophia Sheikh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine -Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, 32209, USA
| | - Jose L Pascual
- Department of Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Mark J Seamon
- Department of Surgery, Division of Traumatology, Surgical Critical Care and Emergency Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Erica Harris
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Claire Pearson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Ascension St. John Hospital, Detroit, MI, 48236, USA
| | - David A Peak
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Roland C Merchant
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Robert M Domeier
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Trinity Health-Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, USA
| | - Niels K Rathlev
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA, 01107, USA
| | - Brian J O'Neil
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Paulina Sergot
- Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Leon D Sanchez
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - John F Sheridan
- Division of Biosciences, Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, OSU Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43211, USA
| | - Steven E Harte
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine-Rheumatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ronald C Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Samuel A McLean
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27559, USA
- Institute for Trauma Recovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27559, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27559, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jennifer S Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - E Kate Webb
- Division of Depression and Anxiety Disorders, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Nathaniel G Harnett
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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12
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Rose M, Thomson EM. An ex vivo model of systemically-mediated effects of ozone inhalation on the brain. Toxicology 2025; 511:154052. [PMID: 39793952 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2025.154052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2024] [Revised: 12/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2025] [Indexed: 01/13/2025]
Abstract
Air pollution is associated with increased risk of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions. While animal models have increased our understanding of how air pollution contributes to brain pathologies - including through oxidative stress, inflammatory, and stress hormone pathways - investigation of underlying mechanisms remains limited due to a lack of human-relevant models that incorporate systemic processes. Our objective was to establish an ex vivo approach that enables assessment of the roles of plasma mediators in pollutant-induced effects in the brain. As a proof-of-concept for application in the human context, we assessed whether such effects reproduced in vivo responses to pollutant exposure. Primary rat hippocampal neurons and microglia were each treated with plasma collected from rats immediately or 24 h after ozone inhalation (0 or 0.8 ppm) ± pre-treatment with the glucocorticoid synthesis inhibitor metyrapone. Microglia were further challenged with lipopolysaccharide to evaluate modification of inflammatory responses. Plasma from the ozone-exposed group produced transcriptional changes (inflammatory, antioxidant, glucocorticoid-responsive) in neurons, some of which were glucocorticoid-dependent. Ex vivo and hippocampal responses were strongly correlated, establishing the in vivo relevance of the model. Plasma from the ozone-exposed group modified inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide challenge in microglia, demonstrating the model's utility to assess functional changes resulting from pollutant exposure. This study establishes that an ex vivo approach can reproduce ozone-induced effects in the brain. The model was sensitive to specific plasma mediators and temporal effects, and enabled assessment of functional responses. This approach may serve to investigate mechanisms underlying effects of pollutants on the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Rose
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa K1A 0K9, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Errol M Thomson
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa K1A 0K9, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa K1H 8M5, Canada.
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13
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Drew L. Air pollution and brain damage: what the science says. Nature 2025; 637:536-538. [PMID: 39809913 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-00053-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2025]
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14
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Ray B, Jensen D, Suresh P, Thapaliya B, Sapkota R, Farahdel B, Fu Z, Chen J, Calhoun VD, Liu J. Adolescent brain maturation associated with environmental factors: a multivariate analysis. FRONTIERS IN NEUROIMAGING 2024; 3:1390409. [PMID: 39629197 PMCID: PMC11613425 DOI: 10.3389/fnimg.2024.1390409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 10/29/2024] [Indexed: 12/07/2024]
Abstract
Human adolescence marks a crucial phase of extensive brain development, highly susceptible to environmental influences. Employing brain age estimation to assess individual brain aging, we categorized individuals (N = 7,435, aged 9-10 years old) from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) cohort into groups exhibiting either accelerated or delayed brain maturation, where the accelerated group also displayed increased cognitive performance compared to their delayed counterparts. A 4-way multi-set canonical correlation analysis integrating three modalities of brain metrics (gray matter density, brain morphological measures, and functional network connectivity) with nine environmental factors unveiled a significant 4-way canonical correlation between linked patterns of neural features, air pollution, area crime, and population density. Correlations among the three brain modalities were notably strong (ranging from 0.65 to 0.77), linking reduced gray matter density in the middle temporal gyrus and precuneus to decreased volumes in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex paired with increased cortical thickness in the right supramarginal and bilateral occipital regions, as well as increased functional connectivity in occipital sub-regions. These specific brain characteristics were significantly more pronounced in the accelerated brain aging group compared to the delayed group. Additionally, these brain regions exhibited significant associations with air pollution, area crime, and population density, where lower air pollution and higher area crime and population density were correlated to brain variations more prominently in the accelerated brain aging group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaskar Ray
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Dawn Jensen
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Pranav Suresh
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Bishal Thapaliya
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ram Sapkota
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Britny Farahdel
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zening Fu
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jiayu Chen
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Vince D. Calhoun
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jingyu Liu
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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15
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Sukumaran K, Botternhorn KL, Schwartz J, Gauderman J, Cardenas-Iniguez C, McConnell R, Hackman DA, Berhane K, Ahmadi H, Abad S, Habre R, Herting MM. Associations between Fine Particulate Matter Components, Their Sources, and Cognitive Outcomes in Children Ages 9-10 Years Old from the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:107009. [PMID: 39475730 PMCID: PMC11524409 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 10/03/2024] [Indexed: 11/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging literature suggests that fine particulate matter [with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μ m (PM 2.5 )] air pollution and its components are linked to various neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, few studies have evaluated how PM 2.5 component mixtures from distinct sources relate to cognitive outcomes in children. OBJECTIVES This cross-sectional study investigated how ambient concentrations of PM 2.5 component mixtures relate to neurocognitive performance in 9- to 10-year-old children, as well as explored potential source-specific effects of these associations, across the US. METHODS Using spatiotemporal hybrid models, annual concentrations of 15 chemical components of PM 2.5 were estimated based on the residential address of child participants from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. General cognitive ability, executive function, and learning/memory scores were derived from the NIH Toolbox. We applied positive matrix factorization to identify six major PM 2.5 sources based on the 15 components, which included crustal, ammonium sulfate, biomass burning, traffic, ammonium nitrate, and industrial/residual fuel burning. We then utilized weighted quantile sum (WQS) and linear regression models to investigate associations between PM 2.5 components' mixture, their potential sources, and children's cognitive scores. RESULTS Mixture modeling revealed associations between cumulative exposure and worse cognitive performance across all three outcome domains, including shared overlap in detrimental effects driven by ammonium nitrates, silicon, and calcium. Using the identified six sources of exposure, source-specific negative associations were identified between ammonium nitrates and learning & memory, traffic and executive function, and crustal and industrial mixtures and general cognitive ability. Unexpected positive associations were also seen between traffic and general ability as well as biomass burning and executive function. DISCUSSION This work suggests nuanced associations between outdoor PM 2.5 exposure and childhood cognitive performance, including important differences in cognition related both to individual chemicals as well as to specific sources of these exposures. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14418.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirthana Sukumaran
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Katherine L. Botternhorn
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jim Gauderman
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carlos Cardenas-Iniguez
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daniel A. Hackman
- USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kiros Berhane
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hedyeh Ahmadi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shermaine Abad
- Department of Radiology, University of California—San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Rima Habre
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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16
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Morrel J, Dong M, Rosario MA, Cotter DL, Bottenhorn KL, Herting MM. A Systematic Review of Air Pollution Exposure and Brain Structure and Function during Development. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.09.13.24313629. [PMID: 39314970 PMCID: PMC11419233 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.13.24313629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Objectives Air pollutants are known neurotoxicants. In this updated systematic review, we evaluate new evidence since our 2019 systematic review on the effect of outdoor air pollution exposure on childhood and adolescent brain structure and function as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Using PubMed and Web of Science, we conducted an updated literature search and systematic review of articles published through March 2024, using key terms for air pollution and functional and/or structural MRI. Two raters independently screened all articles using Covidence and implemented the risk of bias instrument for systematic reviews informing the World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines. Results We identified 222 relevant papers, and 14 new studies met our inclusion criteria. Including six studies from our 2019 review, the 20 publications to date include study populations from the United States, Netherlands, Spain, and United Kingdom. Studies investigated exposure periods spanning pregnancy through early adolescence, and estimated air pollutant exposure levels via personal monitoring, geospatial residential estimates, or school courtyard monitors. Brain MRI occurred when children were on average 6-14.7 years old; however, one study assessed newborns. Several MRI modalities were leveraged, including structural morphology, diffusion tensor imaging, restriction spectrum imaging, arterial spin labeling, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, as well as resting-state and task-based functional MRI. Air pollutants were associated with widespread brain differences, although the magnitude and direction of findings are largely inconsistent, making it difficult to draw strong conclusions. Conclusion Prenatal and childhood exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with structural and functional brain variations. Compared to our initial 2019 review, publications doubled-an increase that testifies to the importance of this public health issue. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of developmental timing, along with the downstream implications of outdoor air pollution exposure on children's cognitive and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Morrel
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Dong
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael A. Rosario
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Devyn L. Cotter
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L. Bottenhorn
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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