The scientist explained how place of residence affects the speed of brain aging

Living in an unfavorable urban environment can accelerate brain aging processes compared to living in cleaner and calmer conditions. This conclusion was reached by evolutionary biologist Petr Lidsky, a professor at City University of Hong Kong.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to "Gazeta.Ru," according to the expert, living in a city does not automatically mean deterioration of brain health. However, if the urban environment is accompanied by high levels of air pollution, noise, heat, constant stress, and a lack of green spaces, this can indeed negatively affect cognitive health.

The specialist emphasized that polluted air is directly linked to accelerated age-related brain changes and also increases the likelihood of developing cognitive impairments and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Fine particulate matter PM2.5 poses a particular danger, and its negative impact on the body has been scientifically confirmed.

These are particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers that easily penetrate the respiratory system, can enter the bloodstream, and trigger inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and vascular damage, including in the brain.

At the same time, the scientist noted that accelerated brain aging is associated not with a single factor but with a combination of them. Air pollution, high temperatures, noise, social inequality, poverty, and chronic stress form a complex impact on the body. Researchers describe this set of factors with the term "exposome."

The expert also separately addressed the topic of microplastics. There is already evidence of their penetration into the human body, accumulation in atherosclerotic plaques, and a possible link to the risk of heart attacks. Microplastic particles have also been found in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid. However, their impact on cognitive health has not yet been sufficiently studied and has not been confirmed as convincingly as the harm caused by PM2.5 particles.