Ambient air pollution and neurotoxicity on brain structure: Evidence from women's health initiative memory study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the putative adverse effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5 : PM with aerodynamic diameters <2.5μm) on brain volumes in older women.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of 1,403 community-dwelling older women without dementia enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study, 1996-1998. Structural brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed at the age of 71-89 years in 2005-2006 to obtain volumetric measures of gray matter (GM) and normal-appearing white matter (WM). Given residential histories and air monitoring data, we used a spatiotemporal model to estimate cumulative PM2.5 exposure in 1999-2006. Multiple linear regression was employed to evaluate the associations between PM2.5 and brain volume

SUBMITTER: Chen JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4546504 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature