title: Neurotoxicity of traffic-related air pollution.
abstract: The central nervous system is emerging as an important target for adverse health effects of air pollution, where it may contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Air pollution comprises several components, including particulate matter (PM) and ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM), gases, organic compounds, and metals. An important source of ambient PM and UFPM is represented by traffic-related air pollution, primarily diesel exhaust (DE). Human epidemiological studies and controlled animal studies have shown that exposure to air pollution, and to traffic-related air pollution or DE in particular, may lead to neurotoxicity. In particular, air pollution is emerging as a possible etiological factor in neurodevelopmental (e.g. autism spectrum disorders) and neurodegenerative (e.g. Alzheimer's disease) disorders. The most prominent effects caused by air pollution in both humans and animals are oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation. Studies in mice acutely exposed to DE (250-300μg/m3for 6h) have shown microglia activation, increased lipid peroxidation, and neuro-inflammation in various brain regions, particularly the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb. An impairment of adult neurogenesis was also found. In most cases, the effects of DE were more pronounced in male mice, possibly because of lower antioxidant abilities due to lower expression of paraoxonase 2.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Italy. Electronic address: lgcosta@u.washington.edu.
authors.forename: Lucio G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center on Human Development and Disability, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Toby B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Jacki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coburn
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Yu-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Khoi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dao
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Roqué
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D052638:Particulate Matter; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D008315:Malondialdehyde
keywords: Diesel exhaust; Neuro-inflammation; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurotoxicity; Oxidative stress; Traffic-related air pollution