Neuroscience and psychology
Noise and air pollution are linked to mental disorders in young people
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Ainhoa Pérez
Alumni
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MPH, MSc.
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Exposure to air pollutants and noise during pregnancy and childhood has been associated with a variety of mental disorders and behavioral problems in adulthood. While noise is a stressor that can cause maladaptive neuroplasticity and even excitotoxicity, potential pathways through which pollution can affect mental health include disruption of the blood-brain barrier, facilitating the entry of toxins into the brain that promote oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, damaging brain cells. In addition, intrauterine exposure to pollutants can induce epigenetic changes that affect fetal programming, altering brain development and increasing the risk of preterm birth, which is associated with mental health problems in adulthood.
A recent study (Newbury et al., 2024) investigated the association between exposure to noise and air pollution during early life and its association with mental health in youth. More than 9,000 participants were recruited from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a birth cohort in southwest England, collecting data from the mothers' pregnancies between 1991 and 1992. Mental health was assessed through psychotic experiences, depression, and anxiety at different ages from childhood to young adulthood. Noise pollution was estimated using UK traffic noise maps, and high-resolution estimates of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter were used to assess air pollution. Exposure levels were linked to residential addresses from pregnancy to age 12.
After nearly 25 years of follow-up, the results showed that exposure to fine particles during pregnancy and childhood was associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing psychotic experiences in the future. Similarly, exposure to fine particles during pregnancy was linked to a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms in youth. Likewise, exposure to noise pollution in childhood and adolescence was associated with a higher likelihood of anxiety in adulthood, suggesting that high noise levels could induce chronic physiological arousal and alter endocrinology, also affecting cognition.
In conclusion, this study shows a connection between exposure to noise and air pollution in early life and the onset of mental health problems in adolescence and youth. These findings highlight the need to consider air and noise quality in residential environments. They also emphasize the need to reduce exposure to pollution as an important measure for the mental health of the population.
A recent study (Newbury et al., 2024) investigated the association between exposure to noise and air pollution during early life and its association with mental health in youth. More than 9,000 participants were recruited from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a birth cohort in southwest England, collecting data from the mothers' pregnancies between 1991 and 1992. Mental health was assessed through psychotic experiences, depression, and anxiety at different ages from childhood to young adulthood. Noise pollution was estimated using UK traffic noise maps, and high-resolution estimates of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter were used to assess air pollution. Exposure levels were linked to residential addresses from pregnancy to age 12.
After nearly 25 years of follow-up, the results showed that exposure to fine particles during pregnancy and childhood was associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing psychotic experiences in the future. Similarly, exposure to fine particles during pregnancy was linked to a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms in youth. Likewise, exposure to noise pollution in childhood and adolescence was associated with a higher likelihood of anxiety in adulthood, suggesting that high noise levels could induce chronic physiological arousal and alter endocrinology, also affecting cognition.
In conclusion, this study shows a connection between exposure to noise and air pollution in early life and the onset of mental health problems in adolescence and youth. These findings highlight the need to consider air and noise quality in residential environments. They also emphasize the need to reduce exposure to pollution as an important measure for the mental health of the population.
#Environmentalpollution #mentalhealth
References:
Newbury JB et al. Air and Noise Pollution Exposure in Early Life and Mental Health From Adolescence to Young Adulthood. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(5):e2412169. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.12169
* The news published on studies do not represent an official position of ICNS, nor a clinical recommendation.
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