Mental DailyMental Daily
  • Clinical
  • Health
  • I/O
  • Cybernetic
  • Social
  • More
    • Opinion
    • My Bookmarks
Aa
Mental Daily
Aa
  • Clinical
  • Health
  • I/O
  • Cybernetic
  • Social
  • Opinion
Search
  • Clinical
  • Health
  • I/O
  • Cybernetic
  • Social
  • More
    • Opinion
    • My Bookmarks
Follow US
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Inc. Profile
  • Google Play Store
© 2022 - Mental Daily. All Rights Reserved.
Clinical

How air pollution may contribute to the onset of Parkinson’s disease

Staff Writer
Staff Writer 3 years ago
Updated 2021/10/23 at 2:36 PM
Share
SHARE

At the University of California Los Angeles, a coalition of researchers were able to demonstrate how the chemicals found in diesel exhaust may lead to alpha-synuclein build-up, contributing to the possible onset of Parkinson’s disease.

As published in Toxicological Sciences, the UCLA-based group focused on identifying environmental factors as opposed to genetic risks for the development of neurodegenerative diseases in older adults.

“Epidemiological studies have supported an association between long-term exposure to air pollutants and disease risk,” the co-authors explained in their findings. “Here, we investigate the mechanisms by which diesel exhaust, a major component of air pollution, induces neurotoxicity.”

In past research studies, it was suggested that people living near areas with a high volume of traffic-related air pollution were more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

In the new study, UCLA researchers set out to understand the effects of air pollutants by using a zebrafish model and testing with diesel exhaust.

According to the findings, it was concluded that exposure to diesel exhaust perpetuated effects implicated in neurodegeneration.

“We found that exposure to diesel exhaust particulate extract caused behavioral deficits and a significant decrease in neuron number,” the findings read. “The neurotoxicity was due, at least in part, to reduced autophagic flux, which is a major pathway implicated in neurodegeneration. This neuron loss occurred alongside an increase in aggregation-prone neuronal protein.”

Using nilotinib, a selective tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor, the diesel exhaust-induced neurotoxicity was inhibited among the zebrafish examined in the lab.

“These results shed light on why long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution increases neurodegenerative disease risk and open up new avenues for exploring therapies to mitigate environmental exposures and promote neuroprotection,” the co-authors concluded.

Photo: chagpg - Fotolia

You Might Also Like

People from varying cultures may be better at addressing the effects of frontotemporal dementia

Researchers discover potential therapeutic target for treatment-resistant epilepsy

Researchers investigate how native languages shapes our brain wiring

Childhood obesity may be linked to prenatal cigarette and cannabis use

Parkinson’s disease is linked to a chemical used in common dry cleaning

TAGGED: air pollution, neurodegeneration, parkinson's disease
Staff Writer May 24, 2020
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Print
Previous Article More than 50% of Americans don’t know the true purpose of Memorial Day
Next Article Swedish study finds no correlation between obesity and proximity of food environments

Recommended

Clinical

People from varying cultures may be better at addressing the effects of frontotemporal dementia

1 Min Read
Clinical

Researchers discover potential therapeutic target for treatment-resistant epilepsy

1 Min Read
Clinical

Researchers investigate how native languages shapes our brain wiring

2 Min Read
Clinical

Childhood obesity may be linked to prenatal cigarette and cannabis use

2 Min Read
//

We are a trusted online source for research news and resources on all aspects of the mind and human behavior.

Verticals

  • Clinical
  • Health
  • Social
  • I/O
  • Opinion

Social

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Inc. Profile
  • Google Play Store

Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • The Editor
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Follow US

© 2022 Mental Daily. All Rights Reserved.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Inc. Profile
  • Google Play Store

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?