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The Summary Studies have found that wildfire smoke negatively affects brain health. “A lot of the research on wildfire smoke has historically focused on our lungs and our hearts,” said Stephanie Cleland, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University who studies the health impacts of wildfire smoke. Scientists think the reason wildfire smoke affects the brain is that the tiny particles within it can cross the barrier between the bloodstream and the brain, causing inflammation in the central nervous system. Other research published the same year showed that exposure to wildfire smoke during the school year reduced students’ test scores relative to a year with no smoke. “Last summer completely changed our conversation around who’s exposed to wildfire smoke,” she said.

Persons: ”, Stephanie Cleland, Holly Elser, Cleland, Marshall Burke, ” Burke, ” Elser, “, Elser, it’s, who’s Organizations: Simon Fraser University, Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Hospital of, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University Locations: California , Oregon, Montana, Northern, Southern California, U.S, Midwest, “ Oregon, California, Washington, British Columbia, Northeast U.S, Ontario

☆ Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke linked to increased risk of dementia diagnosis, new study finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Maya Davis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The researchers measured the impact of PM2.5 - air pollution particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter – from wildfire smoke as well as other sources, such as motor vehicles and factories. The research also indicates that associations between wildfire smoke and dementia diagnoses are most pronounced among people from racially and ethnically minoritized groups and in high-poverty areas. What you can doIndividuals can protect themselves from air pollution, including wildfire smoke, by staying indoors on poor air quality days. Home air filtration systems, including box fan air circulation, can also significantly improve indoor air quality, she said. “Our paper underscores that [wildfire smoke] is potentially an important one for individual patients and their providers who are who are curious what steps they can take.”

Persons: ”, Holly Elser, Maria Carrillo, they’ll, ” Elser, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Carillo, there’s Organizations: CNN, International Conference, University of Pennsylvania, Alzheimer’s Association, Western, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: Southern California, California, Canada, Greece, Western United States, Hawaii

☆ Adults with depression are at a greater risk of developing dementia, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

A diagnosis of depression in adulthood could more than double your risk of developing dementia in older age, according to a new study. But the latest study shows a connection between dementia risk and depression diagnoses in early and mid-life as well. “Our results therefore provide strong evidence that depression is not only an early symptom of dementia, but also that depression increases dementia risk,” she said. “For example, there may be shared common risk factors for depression and dementia that occur earlier in the lifecourse, depression may increase dementia risk through alterations in levels of key neurotransmitters, or depression may lead to changes in health behaviors that in turn increase risk for dementia,” she added in an email. Regardless of dementia risk, treating depression should be a priority, Elser agreed.

Persons: Holly Elser, Natalie Marchant, Marchant, Elser, ”, ” Elser, ” Marchant Organizations: CNN, University of Pennsylvania, University College London

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