Study of 27.8M Americans May Have Revealed Direct Alzheimer's Cause

[nitpicked]

https://www.newsweek.com/health-alzheimers-disease-air-pollution-link-study-27m-americans-11534835

Scientists have just found a direct link between air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease—suggesting that improving air quality could be an important way to prevent dementia and protect older adults.
(snip)

To find out more, environmental health researcher Yanling Deng of Emory University, Georgia, and her and colleagues, examined data on more than 27.8 million U.S. Medicare recipients aged 65 years and older from 2000 to 2018.

The researchers looked at individuals’ air pollution exposure level and whether they developed Alzheimer's disease, while emphasizing the role of other chronic conditions.

They found that greater exposure to air pollution was associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and that association was slightly stronger in individuals who had experienced a stroke, noting that chronic conditions had little additional impact.
(snip)

[hlthe2b]

1. Correlation studies are good to develop hypothesis, but Alheimer's prevalence is lower in among highest

air pollution countries of China and India--again correlative studies, but still if there is a causal relationship between Alheimer's and air pollution (which has NOT been proven) then why would we not be seeing it in China and India? Take a look at Australia and Canada, who certainly have less air pollution than China and India: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/alzheimers-rates-by-country


Okay, if further studies are to be done (and I think it should) then there needs to be a full evaluation of what constitutes "air pollution" in different regions of the world and even different states within the US. Is it primarily particulate? Ground level ozone? nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead? These pollutants can originate from various sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and natural events like wildfires. But, they are differing in most of China and India.

Bottom line, this "study" and reporting is so overhyped, I hope most will realize that "direct Alzheimer's Cause" is problematic. Chronic conditions had "little additional impact" outside overt stroke? Really? How well did they CONTROL for the competing confounding factors. Most US citizens have moved constantly since the 1950s. So, how well was their exposure "quantified" and what exactly was the "air pollution exposure?" Did they have sub-analyses for those who lived closest to industrial plants? Did they examine water pollution exposures? Diet? Genetics?

Take this as hypothesis generating, folks. But, it still ought to light a fire behind those who would let EPA toss air pollution standards and regulation--just as it should for water quality.

[riversedge]

2. Its not a surprise that air pollution can affect the brain but glad to see this huge study.