May 20, 2026

@michaelokun

Could the air we breathe influence the risk for Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia? PM2.5 refers to tiny air pollution particles small enough to enter the lungs and possibly even the brain. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a traffic and fossil fuel related air pollutant. Davydow and colleagues describe in a new paper in JAMA Network Open how long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated w/ increased risk of dementia w/ Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease related dementia. Key points: - Higher long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated w/ increased risk of dementia w/ Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease related dementia. - The strongest associations were observed for dementia w/ Lewy bodies, where PM2.5 exposure was linked to nearly a 4-fold greater risk in fully adjusted models. - The findings support the growing idea that environmental exposures and air pollution may contribute to neurodegenerative disease through inflammation and brain injury pathways. My take: This paper adds to a growing body of evidence linking environmental exposures to brain health. We should all be paying attention to what is in the air around us. Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body disorders are likely shaped by a complex interaction between genes, aging and environmental factors. I am biased as an author on this one, so please read and make up your own mind. Here are 5 points that resonated w/ me: 1- Tiny pollution particles may cross into the brain and trigger inflammation and do so over many years. 2- Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia are devastating conditions and prevention research in this area matters. 3- The olfactory system or smell pathways may be one possible gateway for pollutants to enter the nervous system. 4- Environmental risk factors likely interact w/ genetics and other exposures such as pesticides. 5- Cleaner air may ultimately become part of a larger brain health and Parkinson’s prevention strategy. https://cutt.ly/ptV8vASA #parkinson