British researchers first discovered a link between dementia and living in a region with dirty air. Evidence of the existence of such a connection provided researchers from the College of St. George’s, University of London, the results of their work published in the British Medical Journal.
Older people living in areas with higher levels of air pollution face a higher risk of dementia, said experts. Scientists noted that the problem of dirty air, epidemiologists were inclined to associate with the development of cardiovascular diseases. However, there is increasing evidence that air polluting substances are precipitating factor in the development of dementia. In particular, the authors refer to a large canadian study in which the data is published the journal The Lancet. In the UK their work was the first evidence of a connection between development of dementia and environmental conditions in the region of residence of the person.
British researchers used data Clinical Practice Research Datalink – a large database of primary care since 1987, collects information about the health of patients, the therapeutic clinics of the country. Specifically, scientists examined 130 978 patients aged 50 to 79 years, which was conducted long-term observation. 2181 the patient was eventually diagnosed with dementia.
Scientists have concluded that “people living in areas with higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the air, were at greater risk of dementia”. This correlation was true with regard to age, sex, ethnicity, Smoking habits, body mass index.
Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of all cases.
Earlier Magicforum wrote about who has a stronger risk of suffering from dementia and stroke.