Association Between Particulate Matter and Alzheimer's Disease in Elderly Subjects

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder, affecting  more  than  4  million  people  in  the  US and more than 30 million people  worldwide  [1]. The pathological  changes  seen  in  the  brain  are plaque  formations  consisting  mainly  of  amyloid beta (Aβ) protein deposits surrounded by neurons containingneurofibrillary   tangles.   Associated with  Aβ-containing  senile  plaques  are  reactive microglia  and  activated  microphages  producing cytokines  like  IL-1,  IL-6  and  TNF-α,  as  well  as acute phase proteins, indicating inflammation [2]. Also  associated  with  the  plaque  deposition  is vascular damage and neuronal loss in the area of hippocampus   and   frontal   cortex,   leading   to severe memory loss