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Nighttime Light Pollution Linked to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk
Context:
Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found a correlation between nighttime artificial light pollution and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
More on News:
- Researchers used satellite data to assess nighttime light intensity across various states and compared this with Alzheimer’s prevalence from 2012 to 2018.
- They observed a positive correlation in states with higher light pollution.
- States with High Light Pollution: Florida, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
- States with Low Light Pollution: Montana, New Mexico, Vermont, Idaho, Wyoming, and Oregon.
Key Highlights:
- Light pollution had a stronger correlation with Alzheimer’s disease prevalence than alcohol abuse, chronic kidney disease, depression, heart failure, and obesity. However, it was less strongly correlated with conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
- Light pollution was particularly strongly associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s (under age 65).
- Light pollution is increasingly recognised for its negative effects, including disrupting circadian rhythms, which can lead to health issues such as obesity, depression, and memory dysfunction.
- It also contributes to energy waste and climate change.
- Approximately 80% of the global population experiences light pollution with rates increasing by nearly 10% annually.
- Light pollution was first identified in the 1970s and has since been recognised for its broader impacts on both the environment and human health.
Impacts of Light pollution:
- While artificial nighttime lighting is commonly seen as beneficial for safety and convenience, it is also linked to adverse effects on both human health and wildlife.
- It can disrupt species such as sea turtles and migratory birds, impacting their natural behaviours and habitats.
Implications:
- The study suggests that policymakers should consider the impacts of light pollution on public health and incorporate these findings into health and environmental regulations.
Alzheimer’s Disease Overview
- It is the most prevalent form of dementia, characterised by the progressive loss of cognitive functions.
- The condition is marked by the formation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which accelerate the degeneration of neurons responsible for memory storage and processing.
- Early symptoms often include forgetfulness, and as the disease advances, individuals may experience increasing confusion, disorientation, and difficulties with basic tasks.
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 55 million people globally suffer from dementia, with Alzheimer’s accounting for approximately 75% of these cases.
- In India, estimates suggest between 3 to 9 million people are affected, a number expected to rise with an ageing population.
- Despite advancements in medications that can slow cognitive decline, no cure currently exists.
