Open AccessTraffic-related air pollution and brain development
Author(s) -
Nick Woodward,
Caleb E. Finch,
Todd E. Morgan
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
aims environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2372-0352
pISSN - 2372-0344
DOI - 10.3934/environsci.2015.2.353
Subject(s) - schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , cognition , autism , brain development , environmental health , neuroprotection , psychological intervention , neuroscience , medicine , psychology , psychiatry
Automotive traffic-related air pollution (TRP) imposes an increasing health burden with global urbanization. Gestational and early child exposure to urban TRP is associated with higher risk of autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia, as well as low birth weight. While cardio-respiratory effects from exposure are well documented, cognitive effects are only recently becoming widely recognized. This review discusses effects of TRP on brain and cognition in human and animal studies. The mechanisms underlying these epidemiological associations are studied with rodent models of pre- and neonatal exposure to TRP, which show persisting inflammatory changes and altered adult behaviors and cognition. Some behavioral and inflammatory changes show male bias. Rodent models may identify dietary and other interventions for neuroprotection to TRP.