Pollution!
The average brain, it appears contains the weight of a plastic spoon in microplastics (diameter: 0.001–5 mm) and nanoplastics (less than 0.001mm). But now they find an assortment of goods in our gray and white matter: silica, metals, soot, etc. A collaboration of scientists from University of Chicago, Rush University, Boston University, University of Washington, and University of Rochester, reported on this in “Nose-to-Brain Translocation of Inhaled Ultrafine Elongated Particles” in Frontiers in Toxicology, published recently.
They looked at brain tissue of 11 people who died between 80 and 91 years of age, and discovered that some of these particles had penetrated deep into the brain, reaching the amygdala, a region that helps shape emotion and memory.
Airborne ambient nano-EMPs (elongated mineral particles) are present in the brain and these have translocated as inhaled exogenous nanoparticles from the nose to human olfactory bulb, amygdala, and cerebellum. They are found within proximity of myelin damage, consistent with our hypothesis that nano-EMPs function as invader particles and exert inflammatory responses.”
It has always been suspected that pollution harms the brain indirectly, by triggering inflammation and stuff throughout the body. But now they’re finding it might act more directly.
How those particles got to those loci in the brain is unclear, but as the paper’s title suggests, it might be through the nose.
Reported Ariana Eunjung Cha of The Washington Post:
The questions are becoming more urgent as climate change alters the air around us. Hotter, drier conditions are fueling larger and more intense wildfires in many places, while drought and land degradation can increase the risk of dust storms—sending enormous clouds of smoke, soil, minerals and other microscopic debris across cities, states and even continents.”
Other studies have concluded such particles are hazardous. “Accelerated Biological Aging and Brain Structural Alterations Linking Air Pollution to Dementia Risk” published by scientists from Zhengzhou University, China, in Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging earlier this year, found that, after following more than 400,000 people over 14 years, those with the highest exposure to small particles had a 14% greater risk of developing dementia than those with the lowest exposure. Brain volumes also seemed to diminish in these affected people. And especially in the hippocampus, essential for learning and memory.
Pollution leads to brain atrophy leads to dementia?
Which particles are most dangerous? Apparently those with metals—diesel exhaust and World Trade Center dust (from September 11, 2001).
We’re in trouble! (I’m already losing my mind, now this?!?)
But we can rest in the fact that we might be demented and disoriented, but always—always!—remembers.
When I see Your heavens, the works of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which You have appointed,
what is a human that You are mindful of him,
and a mortal that You care for him! …
Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth.
Psalm 8:3–4, 9
He [God] has not forgotten the wailing of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, Yahweh; see my affliction from those who hate me,
You who lift me up from the gates of death,
that I may tell of all Your praises;
in the gates of daughter Zion I jubilate in Your deliverance.
Psalm 9:12–14
I will remember the actions of Yah;
yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.
I will meditate on all Your doing,
and on Your actions I will muse.
God, Your way is of holiness—what god is great like God?
Psalm 77:11–13
Yup, just remember that!
SOURCES (of ideas, numbers, and words): The Washinton Post; Frontiers in Toxicology; Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging
Abe Kuruvilla is the Carl E. Bates Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), and a dermatologist in private practice. His passion is to explore, explain, and exemplify preaching.