Clean Air Act mitigate the cognitive deterioration in older adults

Abstract

Air pollution may accelerate cognitive aging, it is unclear whether large-scale interventions by Clean Air Act can mitigate the cognitive deterioration. Here, we conducted a difference-in-differences analysis based on Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey during 2014 and 2018. Intervention group came from where the government set a strict target of reducing air pollution, whereas control group lived in areas without reduction target. Global cognitive functions were measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We found the intervention group with implementing Clean Air Act had a significantly smaller decline in MMSE score compared to the control group. Interquartile increases in PM2.5 and SO2 concentrations were significantly associated with a faster decline of MMSE score by 1.78 and 0.92 points, respectively. Implementing stringent clean air policies, especially in low- and middle-income countries may mitigate the risk of cognitive aging in older people.

Air pollution associated with cognitive decline by the mediating effects of sleep cycle disruption and changes in brain structure in adults

“…2.5 was associated with MMSE domains(Aretz et al, 2020;Yao et al, 2021). Also, NO 2 and O 3 were found to be associated with cognitive function measurements(Chen et al, 2021;Crous-Bou et al, 2020).…”