For centuries, Alzheimer’s and related dementias — debilitating diseases that cause memory loss over time, particularly in the elderly — have caused grief and pain in millions of families around the world.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6.7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to nearly 13 million. While most of these cases exist in those aged 65 or older, about 200,000 Americans under 65 years old currently live with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
Scientists have long been on the hunt for one root cause of Alzheimer’s and dementia, but what they’ve found instead is that a variety of factors can increase one’s risk for those diseases. Now, according to a 2021 research review, they can add air pollution to that list.
How Does Alzheimer’s Affect the Brain?
While it's normal for the brain to shrink in size as one ages, the brain does not typically lose mass amounts of neurons when that shrinking occurs, according to the National Institute of Health.
