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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Pollution Alter the Human Brain

Exposure to air pollution in the long run can lead to physical changes in the brain. Conducted studies on mice showed that the changes it can cause memory and learning problems. The study also determines the link between air pollution and high levels of depression and anxiety. Scientists believe that the pollution may have the same effect on humans. Scientists at the Department of Neuroscience Ohio State University exposed two groups of mice with filtered air or polluted air for six hours a day, five days a week for 10 months, or nearly half the lifespan of mice. Air pollution containing fine particles, such as those generated by motor vehicles and factory smoke. Particle concentrations are inhaled when mice breathed the equivalent of exposure faced by humans when in some urban areas full of pollution. After 10 months of exposure to air pollution, rats underwent a number of tests. They are placed in a given arena lighting and must find a hole out in two minutes past five days, all rats were trained to find the hole, but the polluted air sucked mice took longer to learn where the holes are and can not remember its location when tested. In another experiment, mice exposed to air pollution levels showed higher depressive behavior than rats that have been sucking air through the filter. The researchers found that the hippocampal region in the brains of mice that sucks air pollution has decreased the complexity of the cell. These changes are associated with decreased learning ability and memory. "Research shows exposure to air pollution for long periods can cause negative effects on the brain, which can lead to various health problems," said Laura Fonken, researchers from Ohio State University study, "It causes a serious impact for people who live and work in polluted areas around the world. " *** [LIVESCIENCE|KORAN TEMPO 3582]
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