Air pollution and performance of the brain

Air pollution may adversely affect the function of the central nervous system, but its effects are poorly understood. In this paper, we aim to explore whether ambient air quality is associated with impaired brain function and neurologic diseases. PubMed was used to review literature on neurophysiologic responses to traffic pollution from 1990 to 2018, using the keywords “pollution” OR “traffic pollution, air pollution,” AND “neurophysiologic responses.” A qualitative analysis of 112 articles and their related websites was conducted, and 56 articles were selected for further analysis based on study relevance, quality, reliability, and publication date. These 56 articles were analyzed to determine the association, if any, of air pollutants with neurofunction and neurological diseases. Fourteen articles suggest a link between air pollutants and neurodevelopment (25%). Nine found a relationship between stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic) and air pollutants (16%). Three articles found a relationship between headache and pollution (5%), and three found a relationship between multiple sclerosis and pollution (5%). A relationship between neurocognitive function and air pollution was described in 16 articles (28.5%). Seven articles suggested a relationship between air pollution and neurodegenerative diseases (12.5%). Another seven reported a relationship between autonomic functions and pollutants (12.5%), and one suggested that air pollution may have neuropsychological effects (1.7%). One study reported a relationship between decades of exposure to air pollutants and neurotoxicity (1.7%). Therefore, the present study confirms the harmful effect of air pollutants on the brain. We recommend that regulations be enacted to limit exposure to air pollutants to help reduce the problems associated with it.