Inflammation as a Mediator of Air Pollution's Role in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

This study examined the relationship between air pollution exposure and cognitive decline in older adults, finding that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM₁₀) increases Alzheimer's disease risk, with inflammatory marker C-reactive protein mediating approximately 43% of this effect. Using genetic and observational data from over 7,000 Chinese participants, the research provides evidence that air pollution may causally contribute to dementia through inflammation-related pathways.