How air pollution affects brain aging and Alzheimer’s risk worldwide
Worldwide Mapping of Air Pollution Exposure Patterns on Aging Brain Health
Uses brain scans and location data from people around the world to show how common air pollutants may speed up brain aging and raise Alzheimer’s risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145102 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project brings together brain MRI data from 46 research groups in 21 countries and links those scans to local air pollution maps for NO2 and PM2.5. Researchers will analyze structural and diffusion MRI to look for pollution-related changes in gray matter and white matter and track how those changes evolve across the lifespan. The team will also consider social, psychological, and biological factors that might make some people more vulnerable or resilient to pollution’s effects. Results aim to create a global picture of how air pollution harms the aging brain and inform ways to reduce risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People of all ages who are in cohorts with brain MRI and residential history—especially older adults without dementia—are the most relevant candidates for this work.
Not a fit: People who cannot undergo MRI, who lack residential or exposure data, or who are not part of the included cohorts may not be able to participate or benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify pollution-related brain changes and point to prevention or policy steps that lower dementia risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked air pollution to faster aging and higher dementia risk, but large international neuroimaging efforts like this are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salminen, Lauren E. — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Salminen, Lauren E.
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.