Air pollution particles can worsen movement disorders after an ischemic stroke.
According to a new study, air pollution can worsen movement disorders after an ischemic stroke (stroke).
To reach this conclusion, the researchers exposed mice intranasally to urban aerosols from Beijing (China) for a week. These mice were then subjected to an ischemic stroke. Compared to control mice, the results showed that mice exposed to air pollution showed increased neuroinflammation after stroke. Experiments carried out by replacing air pollution in Beijing with particles from Yokohama (Japan) gave similar results.
Particles can pass from the nose to the brain
One of the explanations for this effect of pollution would be that the particles can pass from the nose to the brain, where they can cause damage.
The researchers went further by identifying specific components of air pollution that may directly contribute to a worse prognosis of ischemic stroke. According to their study, it is the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in urban air particles that can potentially worsen recovery after ischemic stroke by increasing neuroinflammation.
Stroke is a serious disease
The results highlight the need to control air pollution to reduce the risk of stroke and improve the prognosis of patients who have it.
Stroke is a serious disease that can cause permanent damage or death, especially in older people. One of the main causes of stroke is the blockage of a blood vessel in the brain.
