Air & Water Borne Diseases
Open Access

Neurocognitive; Neurodegenerative Sickness; Toxicological; Epidemiological

Introduction

Numerous studies have demonstrated associations between air pollution and cardiovascular disease and function. Despite the fact that sustained neurocognitive function at older ages is a prominent component of healthy ageing and will be one of the main challenges in our ageing societies, relatively little is known about the effect of long term air pollution on neurocognitive function. The first link between neurotoxicity and air pollution in the environment. A histological comparison of the brain tissue of dogs living in high- and low-pollution regions served as the basis for this work. The blood brain barrier, degeneration of cortical neurons, apoptotic glial white cells, non neuritic plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles were more severe in dogs from highly polluted regions than in low-polluted regions. From that point forward, a few epidemiological and toxicological examinations have explored persistent impacts of air contamination and encompassing commotion on neurocognitive capability in youngsters and grown-ups [1].

The majority of epidemiological studies examined whether air pollution had an effect on cognitive development in childhood and possible changes in adolescence. Adult neurocognitive function studies on the effects of air pollution are still uncommon. Summarized studies on the neuropsychological effects of air pollution, which included 12 studies on children and four studies on adult populations, one of which focused on the short term effects of air pollution. Six studies on adult neurocognitive and psychological functions. These reviews proposed a possible connection between adult cognitive changes and white matter lesions and cerebrovascular pathology caused by air pollution. It was also suggested that PM plays a role in cognitive and behavioral impairment in children and the elderly [2].

Even less research has been done on the connection between noise and neurocognitive function. The majority of studies on the relationship between ambient noise and neurocognitive functions measured short term effects. Occupational and environmental noise was found to be associated with annoyance, which can disrupt normal human activities and result in somatic and psychosomatic health effects [3, 4].

Information about natural pathways connecting air contamination to neurocognitive hindrance is still scant. It was hypothesized that Particulate Matter (PM) can affect neurocognitive function in two different ways. Proinflammatory cytokines in human macrophages are activated when PM is breathed in, triggering an inflammatory response and subsequent oxidative stress. Inflammatory compounds can leak into the systemic circulation and cross the blood-brain barrier. The animal brain develops a variety of histological abnormalities as a result [5].

After inhaling through the nose, the second route involves PM directly entering the nervous system through the olfactory bulb. In the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), pathological changes in the olfactory bulb were observed. After being exposed to air pollution, human olfactory bulb periglomerular neurons were found to contain Ultrafine Particles (UFP). While these pathways associated with long term exposure to air pollution are a major focus of research, there aren't many studies describing how long term exposure to ambient noise might affect neurocognitive functions [6].

Additional epidemiological studies on the long-term neurocognitive effects of noise and air pollution have recently been published. Multiple cognitive tests, as well as associations with various air pollutants and a wide range of ambient noise levels, were used in these studies of adult participants. Neurocognitive function may be influenced in a synergistic manner by air pollution and ambient noise, which may have synergistic effects due to common sources, such as traffic. There are currently no reviews that combine the research on the effects of noise and air pollution on cognitive function. This article reviews recent research on the effects of air pollution and ambient noise on various aspects of adult mental health, including neurocognitive function, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative disease [7].

Methods of study

Using the two major search engines PubMed and Google Scholar, we conducted a literature search for articles relating long-term ambient air pollution and ambient noise to mental health (intellectual functions, neurocognitive diseases, and mood disorders) in adults. The average exposure over at least a year was considered long-term exposure. There were no short-term exposures taken in the days or hours before the outcome assessment [8].

The following keywords were used in this search: Anxiety, the central nervous system, cognition, cognitive function, cognitive decline, depression, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, mood disorders, the neurocognitive effect, Parkinson's disease, the peripheral nervous system, vertigo, air pollution, noise, exposure to noise, particulate matter, ultrafine particles, fine PM, and traffic individually and collectively. On request, the exact search history can be obtained. Based on the references of the articles that were retrieved and met the inclusion criteria, an additional search was conducted. Incorporation measures for the articles were: (1) research on the mental health effects of exposure to noise and pollution in the air; 2) research on adults (those under the age of 18); 3) epidemiological studies that are published in English in journals with peer review. Short-term effects and ecological studies were excluded from this review [9].

Discussion

The impact of environmental exposures on various aspects of mental health, including neurocognitive function, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative disease, in this review of 22 studies published up to. Long term noise exposure and air pollutants may have an impact on adult neurocognitive function and mood disorders. However, there is currently no evidence to separate the effects of these two closely related outcomes and exposures. We expand the investigated outcomes and include newly published studies in this review. At least one of the investigated pollutants was found to be associated with neurocognitive functions in each of the presented studies examining the relationship between noise and air pollution. However, the effect sizes of these associations varied and in the mental area that showed positive affiliations which are, as a result, difficult to compare. In addition, participants who were highly exposed to air pollution had an increased risk of developing AD and PD. Anxiety, depression, and difficulty with daily activities were also found to be positively correlated with noise and air pollution. Due primarily to the lack of common outcomes for both types of exposures studied; there was little overlap between associations of air pollution and noise with mental health outcomes [10].

Conclusion

In recent years, research into the connection between noise and health from air pollution has received more attention. In a number of studies, both of the exposures discussed in this article noise and air pollution were found to be linked to one or more neurocognitive function indicators, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. The reviewed studies generally support the hypothesis that ambient air pollution and noise are associated with neurocognitive functions, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative disease in long-term exposed individuals, despite some limitations and inconsistencies. However, it is necessary to conduct parallel toxicological and epidemiological studies to elucidate mechanisms and pathways of action, as well as studies that simultaneously investigate air pollution and noise exposures in relation to mental health.

Acknowledgement

None

Conflict of Interest

None

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