Exposure to air pollution as a young child has been found to cause weaker connections between key regions of the brain.
A new study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, showed this exposure reduced functional connectivity within and between certain cortical and subcortical brain networks.
These networks control thinking, perceiving and controlling movement.
The study analysed data from 3626 children in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The children’s brains were scanned around the age of 10 and again at an average age of 14.
Exposure to air pollution was analysed from birth to three years of age and in the year before the neuroimaging assessment.
The results showed that greater exposure to air pollution from birth to three years old was associated with weaker function and connectivity between areas of the brain.
“These associations persist throughout adolescence, which may indicate persistent disruptions in the normal development of brain networks due to pollution exposure,” researcher Mònica Guxen said.
“This could affect emotional processing and cognitive functions. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand their exact impact on brain development.”
The research report said the study was one of the first to explore how air pollution affected brain connections at rest, using brain scans taken multiple times in a large group of children.
The findings reinforced the importance of policies aimed at reducing pollution levels, particularly in urban environments, to safeguard children’s brain development.
The full report is on the Barcelona Institute for Global Health website.
