An Unexpected Culprit Behind Memory Decline

Long-term exposure to polluted air may take a toll on the brains of older adults. This striking conclusion comes from researchers at University College London, whose findings have been published in The Journals of Gerontology.

The team analyzed data from over 1,100 individuals aged 65 and older living across England. For a decade, they tracked levels of nitrogen oxide and fine PM2.5 particles in the air where participants resided—substances primarily released by vehicles, heating systems, and industrial emissions.

Participants’ memory, attention, planning abilities, and language skills were later assessed through standard cognitive tests. The results were telling: those living in the most polluted areas performed worse, with language tasks—such as word retrieval, fluency, and speech speed—showing the starkest decline.

The researchers suggest that air pollution might disrupt the temporal lobe, the brain region responsible for processing linguistic information. “Our findings reveal that pollution poses a risk not just to the lungs and heart, but to the brain as well—particularly with prolonged exposure,” notes Giorgio Di Gessa, the study’s lead author.

In light of an aging population, the team urges stronger environmental regulations and stricter air quality controls to safeguard the cognitive health of older adults and help preserve their mental sharpness.