Physician-scientists at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have identified alarming connections between air pollution and structural changes in the adolescent brain. Their findings, published in the journal Environmental Research, suggest that exposure to common air pollutants may adversely affect the brain’s development, particularly in critical areas responsible for executive function, language skills, mood regulation, and socioemotional processing.
The research team, part of OHSU’s Developmental Brain Imaging Lab, focused on pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. These contaminants have intensified due to factors like industrialization, vehicle emissions, and recent wildfires. While the detrimental effects of pollution on physical health, including respiratory disorders and cardiovascular diseases, are well-documented, its impact on neurocognitive health has received less attention.
Using data from the ABCD Study, the largest longitudinal study of adolescent brain development in the United States, the researchers aimed to assess the implications of air pollution during a significant developmental phase. This study stands out as one of the first to examine how air pollution affects structural changes in the adolescent brain over time.
Dr. Calvin Jara, a resident in otolaryngology/head and neck surgeries at OHSU and the lead author of the study, expressed concern about the nature of the pollutants studied. “What’s perhaps most concerning is that this study didn’t look at rare toxins; it looked at everyday, common pollutants that all of us are exposed to walking around and breathing in the air outside,” he said. “What we discovered was a slow and subtle effect happening on the brain, and while it might not be causing symptoms immediately, it could be shifting developmental trajectories and outcomes over time.”
The analysis involved nearly 11,000 children from the ABCD study dataset. Researchers found that early exposure to specific air pollutants, particularly during the onset of puberty around ages 9 to 10, was linked to both persistent and developmental changes in cortical thickness. Atypical cortical thinning, especially when accelerated, can indicate neurological disruptions and may lead to cognitive impairments.
Findings showed that while urban areas experienced more severe impacts, alterations in brain structure were detectable in children exposed to pollution levels below what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers safe. “These data show this is not just about a single child,” Jara noted. “It’s about what’s happening to millions of children around the world who are exposed to low levels of air pollution for years on end.”
The researchers warned that these structural changes could adversely affect children’s overall health and well-being, potentially impairing attention, memory, and emotional regulation. Such changes may lead to academic challenges and behavioral issues as children progress through their developmental stages. Future studies are necessary to investigate the broader long-term consequences of these findings.
To combat the growing issue of air pollution, researchers emphasize the need for collaborative efforts beyond clinical settings. Although individual clinicians cannot directly alter air quality, they can play a vital role in educating and advocating for systemic changes. Policy initiatives aimed at reducing air pollution, such as improvements to transportation and infrastructure, increased access to green spaces, and stricter air quality standards, are crucial for promoting healthy brain development.
Dr. Bonnie Nagel, OHSU’s Interim Chief Research Officer and co-author of the study, stressed the importance of considering environmental factors in health assessments. “Environmental factors have a huge impact on how healthy children can be, and ultimately how healthy they’ll be over their lifetime,” she stated. “This work adds to the growing body of evidence that pollution is not just an environmental issue; it’s a significant and growing health issue, especially for our youngest and most vulnerable.”
This research was supported by various organizations, including philanthropic funding from the Center for Mental Health Innovation at OHSU and the National Institutes of Health. The implications of these findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect children’s brain health from the effects of air pollution.
