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A Systematic Review of Air Pollution Exposure and Brain Structure and Function during Development
Jessica Morrel1,2, Michelle Dong3, Michael A Rosario1
1Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|September 24, 2024
Summary
Exposure to outdoor air pollution is linked to brain changes in children and adolescents. This updated review shows more research confirms these effects, highlighting a critical public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Air pollutants are recognized neurotoxicants affecting brain development.
- Previous systematic reviews have highlighted concerns regarding air pollution's impact on young brains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and evaluate new evidence on outdoor air pollution exposure and its effects on childhood and adolescent brain structure and function.
- To update findings from the 2019 systematic review.
Main Methods:
- Updated literature search of PubMed and Web of Science through March 2024.
- Inclusion of 14 new studies, totaling 20 publications, with risk of bias assessment.
- Utilized various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities to assess brain structure and function.
Main Results:
- Air pollutant exposure was associated with widespread brain differences in children and adolescents.
- Findings included studies spanning pregnancy through early adolescence.
- Inconsistencies in the magnitude and direction of effects were noted, limiting strong conclusions.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal and childhood exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with structural and functional brain variations.
- The number of publications has doubled since 2019, underscoring the public health significance.
- Further research is required to understand developmental timing effects and implications for cognitive and mental health.
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