The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System

Exposure to ambient air pollution is a serious and common public health concern associated with growing morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the last decades, the adverse effects of air pollution on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems have been well established in a series of major epidemiolog...

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Main Authors: Sermin Genc, Zeynep Zadeoglulari, Stefan H. Fuss, Kursad Genc
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Journal of Toxicology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/782462
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author Sermin Genc
Zeynep Zadeoglulari
Stefan H. Fuss
Kursad Genc
author_facet Sermin Genc
Zeynep Zadeoglulari
Stefan H. Fuss
Kursad Genc
author_sort Sermin Genc
collection DOAJ
description Exposure to ambient air pollution is a serious and common public health concern associated with growing morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the last decades, the adverse effects of air pollution on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems have been well established in a series of major epidemiological and observational studies. In the recent past, air pollution has also been associated with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and neurodevelopmental disorders. It has been demonstrated that various components of air pollution, such as nanosized particles, can easily translocate to the CNS where they can activate innate immune responses. Furthermore, systemic inflammation arising from the pulmonary or cardiovascular system can affect CNS health. Despite intense studies on the health effects of ambient air pollution, the underlying molecular mechanisms of susceptibility and disease remain largely elusive. However, emerging evidence suggests that air pollution-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, microglial activation, cerebrovascular dysfunction, and alterations in the blood-brain barrier contribute to CNS pathology. A better understanding of the mediators and mechanisms will enable the development of new strategies to protect individuals at risk and to reduce detrimental effects of air pollution on the nervous system and mental health.
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spelling doaj-art-bd4010de7b0c43cbb20cc12661fa855f2025-08-20T02:19:12ZengWileyJournal of Toxicology1687-81911687-82052012-01-01201210.1155/2012/782462782462The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous SystemSermin Genc0Zeynep Zadeoglulari1Stefan H. Fuss2Kursad Genc3Department of Neuroscience, Health Science Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, TurkeyDepartment of Neuroscience, Health Science Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, TurkeyDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bogazici University, 34342 Istanbul, TurkeyDepartment of Neuroscience, Health Science Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, TurkeyExposure to ambient air pollution is a serious and common public health concern associated with growing morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the last decades, the adverse effects of air pollution on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems have been well established in a series of major epidemiological and observational studies. In the recent past, air pollution has also been associated with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and neurodevelopmental disorders. It has been demonstrated that various components of air pollution, such as nanosized particles, can easily translocate to the CNS where they can activate innate immune responses. Furthermore, systemic inflammation arising from the pulmonary or cardiovascular system can affect CNS health. Despite intense studies on the health effects of ambient air pollution, the underlying molecular mechanisms of susceptibility and disease remain largely elusive. However, emerging evidence suggests that air pollution-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, microglial activation, cerebrovascular dysfunction, and alterations in the blood-brain barrier contribute to CNS pathology. A better understanding of the mediators and mechanisms will enable the development of new strategies to protect individuals at risk and to reduce detrimental effects of air pollution on the nervous system and mental health.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/782462
spellingShingle Sermin Genc
Zeynep Zadeoglulari
Stefan H. Fuss
Kursad Genc
The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System
Journal of Toxicology
title The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System
title_full The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System
title_fullStr The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System
title_full_unstemmed The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System
title_short The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System
title_sort adverse effects of air pollution on the nervous system
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/782462
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