Association of ambient air pollution with cognitive functioning and markers of structural brain damage: The Maastricht study

J. Soeterboek; K. Deckers; M. P.J. van Boxtel; W. H. Backes; S. J.P.M. Eussen; M. M.J. van Greevenbroek; J. F.A. Jansen; A. Koster; M. T. Schram; C. D.A. Stehouwer; A. Wesselius; J. Lakerveld; H. Bosma; S. Köhler

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2024.109048

Association of ambient air pollution with cognitive functioning and markers of structural brain damage: The Maastricht study

J. Soeterboek^*, K. Deckers, M. P.J. van Boxtel, W. H. Backes, S. J.P.M. Eussen, M. M.J. van Greevenbroek, J. F.A. Jansen, A. Koster, M. T. Schram, C. D.A. Stehouwer, A. Wesselius, J. Lakerveld, H. Bosma, S. Köhler

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Given the absence of curative interventions and the rising global incidence of dementia, research is increasingly focusing on lifestyle factors for prevention. However, identifying shared environmental risk for dementia, next to individual factors, is crucial for optimal risk reduction strategies. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the association between air pollution, cognitive functioning, and markers of structural brain damage. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from 4,002 participants of The Maastricht Study on volumetric markers of brain integrity (white and grey matter volume, cerebrospinal fluid volume, white matter hyperintensities volume, presence of cerebral small vessel disease) and cognitive functioning (memory, executive functioning and attention, processing speed, overall cognition). Individuals were matched by postal code of residence to nationwide data on air pollution exposure (particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), particulate matter <10 μm (PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), soot). Potentia linear and non-linear associations were investigated with linear, logistic, and restricted cubic splines regression. All analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics and a compound score of modifiable dementia risk and protective factors. Results: Exposure to air pollutants was not related to cognitive functioning and most brain markers. We found curvilinear relationships between high PM_2.5 exposures and grey matter and cerebrospinal fluid volume. Participants in the low and high range of exposure had lower grey matter volume. Higher cerebrospinal fluid volumes were only associated with high range of exposure, independent of demographic and individual modifiable dementia risk factors. After additional post hoc analyses, controlling for urbanicity, the associations for grey matter volume became non-significant. In men only, higher exposure to all air pollutants was associated with lower white matter volumes. No significant associations with white matter hyperintensities volume or cerebral small vessel disease were observed. Discussion: Our findings suggest that higher PM_2.5 exposure is associated with more brain atrophy.

Original language	English
Article number	109048
Number of pages	13
Journal	Environment International
Volume	192
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.109048
Publication status	Published - Oct 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s)

Funding

grants from Janssen-Cilag B.V. (Tilburg, The Netherlands) ; Novo Nor-disk Farma B.V. (Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands) ; and Sanofi-Aventis Netherlands B.V. (Gouda, the Netherlands) . Furthermore, we would like to thank the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency as well as the Geoscience and Health Cohort Consortium for providing data on air pollution exposure. This work is part of the BIRD-NL con-sortium funded by the Dutch Medical Research Council (ZonMw) as part of the National Dementia Strategy 2021-2030 by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Wellfare and Sport (grant number: 1051003210005) .r grants from Janssen-Cilag B.V. (Tilburg, The Netherlands) ; Novo Nor-disk Farma B.V. (Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands) ; and Sanofi-Aventis Netherlands B.V. (Gouda, the Netherlands) . Furthermore, we would like to thank the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency as well as the Geoscience and Health Cohort Consortium for providing data on air pollution exposure. This work is part of the BIRD-NL con-sortium funded by the Dutch Medical Research Council (ZonMw) as part of the National Dementia Strategy 2021-2030 by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Wellfare and Sport (grant number: 1051003210005) .

Funders	Funder number
Janssen-Cilag B.V. (Tilburg, The Netherlands)
Novo Nor-disk Farma B.V. (Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands)
Sanofi-Aventis Netherlands B.V. (Gouda, the Netherlands)
Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency - Dutch Medical Research Council (ZonMw)
Dutch Ministry of Health, Wellfare and Sport	1051003210005

Keywords

Air pollution
Brain damage
Cognition
Dementia risk
Neuroepidemiology
Particulate matter

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Soeterboek, J., Deckers, K., van Boxtel, M. P. J., Backes, W. H., Eussen, S. J. P. M., van Greevenbroek, M. M. J., Jansen, J. F. A., Koster, A., Schram, M. T., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Wesselius, A., Lakerveld, J., Bosma, H., & Köhler, S. (2024). Association of ambient air pollution with cognitive functioning and markers of structural brain damage: The Maastricht study. Environment International, 192, Article 109048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.109048

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abstract = "Introduction: Given the absence of curative interventions and the rising global incidence of dementia, research is increasingly focusing on lifestyle factors for prevention. However, identifying shared environmental risk for dementia, next to individual factors, is crucial for optimal risk reduction strategies. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the association between air pollution, cognitive functioning, and markers of structural brain damage. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from 4,002 participants of The Maastricht Study on volumetric markers of brain integrity (white and grey matter volume, cerebrospinal fluid volume, white matter hyperintensities volume, presence of cerebral small vessel disease) and cognitive functioning (memory, executive functioning and attention, processing speed, overall cognition). Individuals were matched by postal code of residence to nationwide data on air pollution exposure (particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter <10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), soot). Potentia linear and non-linear associations were investigated with linear, logistic, and restricted cubic splines regression. All analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics and a compound score of modifiable dementia risk and protective factors. Results: Exposure to air pollutants was not related to cognitive functioning and most brain markers. We found curvilinear relationships between high PM2.5 exposures and grey matter and cerebrospinal fluid volume. Participants in the low and high range of exposure had lower grey matter volume. Higher cerebrospinal fluid volumes were only associated with high range of exposure, independent of demographic and individual modifiable dementia risk factors. After additional post hoc analyses, controlling for urbanicity, the associations for grey matter volume became non-significant. In men only, higher exposure to all air pollutants was associated with lower white matter volumes. No significant associations with white matter hyperintensities volume or cerebral small vessel disease were observed. Discussion: Our findings suggest that higher PM2.5 exposure is associated with more brain atrophy.",

keywords = "Air pollution, Brain damage, Cognition, Dementia risk, Neuroepidemiology, Particulate matter",

author = "J. Soeterboek and K. Deckers and {van Boxtel}, {M. P.J.} and Backes, {W. H.} and Eussen, {S. J.P.M.} and {van Greevenbroek}, {M. M.J.} and Jansen, {J. F.A.} and A. Koster and Schram, {M. T.} and Stehouwer, {C. D.A.} and A. Wesselius and J. Lakerveld and H. Bosma and S. K{\"o}hler",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 The Author(s)",

year = "2024",

month = oct,

doi = "10.1016/j.envint.2024.109048",

language = "English",

volume = "192",

journal = "Environment International",

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Soeterboek, J, Deckers, K, van Boxtel, MPJ, Backes, WH, Eussen, SJPM, van Greevenbroek, MMJ, Jansen, JFA, Koster, A, Schram, MT, Stehouwer, CDA, Wesselius, A, Lakerveld, J, Bosma, H & Köhler, S 2024, 'Association of ambient air pollution with cognitive functioning and markers of structural brain damage: The Maastricht study', Environment International, vol. 192, 109048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.109048

TY - JOUR

T1 - Association of ambient air pollution with cognitive functioning and markers of structural brain damage

T2 - The Maastricht study

AU - Soeterboek, J.

AU - Deckers, K.

AU - van Boxtel, M. P.J.

AU - Backes, W. H.

AU - Eussen, S. J.P.M.

AU - van Greevenbroek, M. M.J.

AU - Jansen, J. F.A.

AU - Koster, A.

AU - Schram, M. T.

AU - Stehouwer, C. D.A.

AU - Wesselius, A.

AU - Lakerveld, J.

AU - Bosma, H.

AU - Köhler, S.

PY - 2024/10

Y1 - 2024/10

N2 - Introduction: Given the absence of curative interventions and the rising global incidence of dementia, research is increasingly focusing on lifestyle factors for prevention. However, identifying shared environmental risk for dementia, next to individual factors, is crucial for optimal risk reduction strategies. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the association between air pollution, cognitive functioning, and markers of structural brain damage. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from 4,002 participants of The Maastricht Study on volumetric markers of brain integrity (white and grey matter volume, cerebrospinal fluid volume, white matter hyperintensities volume, presence of cerebral small vessel disease) and cognitive functioning (memory, executive functioning and attention, processing speed, overall cognition). Individuals were matched by postal code of residence to nationwide data on air pollution exposure (particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter <10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), soot). Potentia linear and non-linear associations were investigated with linear, logistic, and restricted cubic splines regression. All analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics and a compound score of modifiable dementia risk and protective factors. Results: Exposure to air pollutants was not related to cognitive functioning and most brain markers. We found curvilinear relationships between high PM2.5 exposures and grey matter and cerebrospinal fluid volume. Participants in the low and high range of exposure had lower grey matter volume. Higher cerebrospinal fluid volumes were only associated with high range of exposure, independent of demographic and individual modifiable dementia risk factors. After additional post hoc analyses, controlling for urbanicity, the associations for grey matter volume became non-significant. In men only, higher exposure to all air pollutants was associated with lower white matter volumes. No significant associations with white matter hyperintensities volume or cerebral small vessel disease were observed. Discussion: Our findings suggest that higher PM2.5 exposure is associated with more brain atrophy.

AB - Introduction: Given the absence of curative interventions and the rising global incidence of dementia, research is increasingly focusing on lifestyle factors for prevention. However, identifying shared environmental risk for dementia, next to individual factors, is crucial for optimal risk reduction strategies. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the association between air pollution, cognitive functioning, and markers of structural brain damage. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from 4,002 participants of The Maastricht Study on volumetric markers of brain integrity (white and grey matter volume, cerebrospinal fluid volume, white matter hyperintensities volume, presence of cerebral small vessel disease) and cognitive functioning (memory, executive functioning and attention, processing speed, overall cognition). Individuals were matched by postal code of residence to nationwide data on air pollution exposure (particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5), particulate matter <10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), soot). Potentia linear and non-linear associations were investigated with linear, logistic, and restricted cubic splines regression. All analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics and a compound score of modifiable dementia risk and protective factors. Results: Exposure to air pollutants was not related to cognitive functioning and most brain markers. We found curvilinear relationships between high PM2.5 exposures and grey matter and cerebrospinal fluid volume. Participants in the low and high range of exposure had lower grey matter volume. Higher cerebrospinal fluid volumes were only associated with high range of exposure, independent of demographic and individual modifiable dementia risk factors. After additional post hoc analyses, controlling for urbanicity, the associations for grey matter volume became non-significant. In men only, higher exposure to all air pollutants was associated with lower white matter volumes. No significant associations with white matter hyperintensities volume or cerebral small vessel disease were observed. Discussion: Our findings suggest that higher PM2.5 exposure is associated with more brain atrophy.

KW - Air pollution

KW - Brain damage

KW - Cognition

KW - Dementia risk

KW - Neuroepidemiology

KW - Particulate matter

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DO - 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109048

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SN - 0160-4120

VL - 192

JO - Environment International

JF - Environment International

M1 - 109048

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Association of ambient air pollution with cognitive functioning and markers of structural brain damage: The Maastricht study

Abstract

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Keywords

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