Оn the relationship of neurodergenerative diseases with air pollution by particulate matter

Abstract

The review highlights the current understanding of the relationship between particulate matter (PM) in air pollution and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). For this purpose, materials from articles indexed in the PubMed and RSCI databases were used. The results of the short-term and long-term effects of PM on the occurrence and progression of NDDs depending on their size, chemical composition and age of the subjects are considered. PMs with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 microns are recognized as the most dangerous. Epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies have confirmed that air pollution with PM, especially those containing metals, is one of the risk factors for NDDs. Hypotheses of the pathogenesis of the most common NDDs, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, are discussed. Unfortunately, none of the hypotheses provides a clear description of the role of PMs in the pathogenesis of NDDs, in particular, at the molecular or cellular level. Systematized scientific data, especially in the form of formalized descriptions, contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis and can be used in practical medicine to assess the risk of occurrence, early diagnosis, prognosis and increase the effectiveness of treatment of patients with NDDs.