Exposure to air pollution leads to physical changes in the brain

Breathing in polluted atmosphere - is like taking money for dullness, scientists say. Recent studies in mice have shown that long-term exposure to air pollution leads to physical changes in the brain, resulting in suffering from learning and memory disorders arise.

Moreover, the results obtained in the study showed a direct link between air pollution and the level of depression or other anxiety disorders. Scientists believe that all the above mentioned observations are quite fair for the people, writes Livescience.com.

Over 10 months, the group of researchers from the American State University in Ohio studied two groups of mice. Some breathed filtered air, while the other five days a week for six hours a day were forced to breathe air with small particles, such as those that are automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. The concentration of pollutants was calculated from the relationship with the amount of which regularly receive people living in large cities.

After 10 months (a little less than half of the life cycle of mice) were subjected to a number of experimental behavioral tests. In particular, within 5 days they have been taught to look for a way out of a simple maze. The audit revealed that the mice inhaled the dirty air, needed more time for training. In addition, during the test, they often forget, where the way out of the maze. The same can not be said of their brethren, all 10 months, enjoy the fresh air.

Another experiment showed that air pollution impact on the internal state of the experimental rodents. In contrast, mice inhaled the filtered air conditioned residents metropolis showed high levels of depression and nervous disorders.

As a result, the researchers found in mice that inhaled dirt, changes at the cellular level in the area of ​​the brain that is responsible for memory and learning ability.

"The results suggest that long-term exposure to air pollution can have a negative effect on the visible state of the brain and cause a variety of health problems, - summed up the scientific study leader Laura Fonck. - This may cause serious consequences for millions of people around the world who have to live and work in polluted cities ».

Source: www.utro.ru

via factroom.ru