Particulate Matter Exposure and Default Mode Network Equilibrium During Early Adolescence

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Environmental Health
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Air pollution is linked to cognitive and mental health issues, especially in developing youth.
• Neurodevelopmental mechanisms connecting air pollution, cognition, and mental health are not well understood.
• Youth are particularly vulnerable due to ongoing brain development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC).
• To examine changes in rsFC within and between the default mode network (DMN) and attention networks over time.
• To understand the neurodevelopmental effects of PM2.5 exposure in children.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal assessment of rsFC in 10,072 youth (ages 9-12) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.
• Estimation of annual ambient PM2.5 concentrations using hybrid ensemble spatiotemporal models.
• Analysis of associations between PM2.5 exposure and changes in rsFC using linear mixed models, controlling for covariates and other pollutants.

Main Results:

• Higher PM2.5 exposure was associated with a smaller increase in within-network rsFC of the DMN over time.
• Significant interactions between PM2.5 and time were found for between-network rsFC involving the DMN and attention networks.
• Varied directionality in these network interactions suggests altered developmental trajectories.

Conclusions:

• PM2.5 exposure is linked to alterations in the development and balance of the DMN and attention networks.
• These alterations may influence the trajectory of cognitive and mental health symptoms during adolescence.
• Findings highlight the neurodevelopmental impact of air pollution on youth brain function.