A new study led by the Global Health Institute of Barcelona (ISGlobal), a center imported by the «La Caixa» Foundation, has revealed that Children and children exposed to high levels of air pollution During childhood they present Haiest cerebral intertwind connections Clue. The results, published in International EnvironmentThey relieve the potential impact of early exposure to atmospheric contamination on brain development.
Magestra research a reduced functional connectivity within and between detdinadas Cortical and subcortical brain brain. These networks are interconnected brain structures systems that work together to perform different cognitive functions, such as think, perceive AND Control the movement. These results agree with studies above that suggest that atmospheric pollution may be associated with changes in functional connectivity of cefeebral networks, over all children. However, it is not yet known for sure how air pollution affects the development and maturation of these brain networks.
The study analyzed the data of 3,626 boys and girls from cohort generation R From Rotterdam (Netherlands). The exhibition to atmospheric pollution at the place of residence of the participants, including the Suspended particles (P.M2.5 And pm10), he nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and the Nitrogen oxides (NOunknown), Medium -static models were estimated that combine real dictions with environmental characteristics. Then, brain connectivity was evaluated both between networks and within them, including 13 cortical networks and three subcortical regions: THE amygdala -Pansables to process emotions and trigger survival responses-, the hippocampus -Clave for the formation of memory and spatial orientation-, and the Caudado nucle -implicated in the regulation of movement, memory and decision making.
The boys and girls were evaluated medium Neuroimágen at restThat is, scanning their brains while without performing any active task, in two moments: around 10 years and, again, an average age of 14 years. The exposure to atmospheric pollution was analyzed in two periosidos: From birth to three years Age and in The year before the evaluation by neuroimagen.
«This is one of the first studies that explores how atmospheric pollution affects resting brain connections, using brain scanners taken multiple times in a large group of children since birth,» he says Michelle KustersIslobal researcher and first author of the study.
Persistent associations during adolescence
The results show that greater exposure to air pollution from birth to three years is associated with a Lower connectivity between the tonsil and cortical networks involved in the ATENGATHE Somatomotora function -What coordinates body movements- and Auditory of the function. In addition, one from Mayor Exhibitionis a PM particles10 In the year prior to the evaluation of Neuroimagen, it was associated with a Lower functional connectivity between salience and medial-parietal networksResponsible for the detail of stimuli in the environment and introspection and self -perception.
«These associations persist throughout adolescence, which could indicate lasting alterations in the normal development of brain networks due to exposure to pollution. This could affect emotional processing and cognitive functions,» he explains Mònica GuxensICREA researcher in Isglobal and author director of the study. «However, you see more research to confirm we find us and tinter its exact impact on brain development,» he adds.
Changes in brain volume
Another recent study of the same team examined the relationship between exposure to Atmospheric pollution During the Emarazo and Childhood and Changes in brain volume During adolescence. The study was based on data from 4,243 children of the cohort «generation R», which is some of repeated evaluations of white matter, cortical gray matter, cerebellum and seven subcortical volumes.
The results revealed that exposure to air pollution during the Emarazo, in particular a Fine particles (pm2.5) And to copper, was associated with a Lower volume of hippocampusA crucial brain structure for memory function, an 8 years. However, a measure that children grew, a «Compensatory growth» In the hippocampus, which suggests that cerebral plastic plastic, especially this area, can some of the initial negative effects of exposure to pollution. A regret of the early effects on the volume of the hippocampus, no encryption seociations is significant intertwined in the atmospheric contamination of volumes, brain brain, as the white substance, cortical gray sustain or cerebellum.
The import of changes in health policies
According to the research team, these results show the possible long -term impact of exposure to air pollution in the first years of life on connectivity and the development of the brain. “Although some brain rules may show compensatory growth, the persistent alterations observed in the networks highlights the need to follow investigation of the mechanisms that explain us eros changes. Given the exposure to the generalized to the guideline the mechanisms that are explained. Atmospheric, eros results reinforce the Import of policies aimed at reducing contamination levelsSpecialting in urban environments, to safeguard children’s brain development, ”says Michelle Kusters.
Reference
Kusters, Msw., Granés, L., Petricola, S., Tiemeier, H., Muestzel, Rl., Guxens, M. Exposure to residential air pollution and the development of the functional connectivity of brain networks during adolescence. International EnvironmentVolume 196, February 2025. Doi: 10.1016/J.envint. 2024.109245
Kusters, Msw., Binter, Ac., Muestzel Rl., López-Vicente, M., Petricola, S., Tiemeier, H., Guxens, M. Exhibition of Outdoor Residential Air Pollution and the development of brain volumes throughout the childhood: a longitudinal study. Pollution, March 2025. Doi: 10.1016/J.envpol.2025.126078
