Do tiny air pollution particles get into the brain and raise Alzheimer's risk?
Do Atmospheric Ultrafine Particles Lodge in the Brain and Cause Cognitive Decline Leading to Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias?
Researchers are looking at whether ultrafine particles in air pollution can enter the brain and speed memory loss in people at risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10795776 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work combines information from people followed by the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Longitudinal Diversity Cohort with laboratory experiments to see if ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) reaches the brain. The team will use participants' locations and cognitive test histories alongside translational animal studies and prior lab findings showing UFPM in exposed rat brains. By comparing geographic differences in exposure with cognitive trajectories, researchers aim to link where people live, how much UFPM they encounter, and changes in thinking and memory. The goal is to determine whether UFPM exposure could be a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s-related dementias.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults or people with memory concerns who are enrolled in or eligible for the UC Davis ADRC Longitudinal Diversity Cohort, especially those living near traffic-related pollution sources.
Not a fit: People without meaningful exposure to nearby ultrafine particle sources or those not enrolled in the UC Davis ADRC cohort are unlikely to directly participate or benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, this could point to air pollution reduction or exposure-avoidance strategies that lower the risk or slow progression of Alzheimer's-related cognitive decline.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked general fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) to dementia risk, but focused human evidence for ultrafine particles (<0.1 µm) is limited and this approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lein, Pamela J — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Lein, Pamela J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.