Journal article
Does protracted radon exposure play a role in the development of dementia?
Environmental research, Vol.210, pp.112980-112980
07/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112980
PMCID: PMC9081166
PMID: 35189101
Abstract
Radon is a ubiquitous radioactive gas that decays into a series of solid radioactive decay products. Radon, and its decay products, enter the human body primarily through inhalation and can be delivered to various tissues including the brain through systemic circulation. It can also reach the brain by neuronal pathways via the olfactory system. While ionizing radiation has been suggested as a risk factor of dementia for decades, studies exploring the possible role of radon exposure in the development of Alzheimer's Diseases (AD) and other dementias are sparse. We systematically reviewed the literature and found several lines of evidence suggesting that radon decay products (RDPs) disproportionally deposit in the brain of AD patients with selective accumulation within the protein fractions. Ecologic study findings also indicate a significant positive correlation between geographic-level radon distribution and AD mortality in the US. Additionally, pathologic studies of radon shed light on the potential pathways of radon decay product induced proinflammation and oxidative stress that may result in the development of dementia. In summary, there are plausible underlying biological mechanisms linking radon exposure to the risk of dementia. Since randomized clinical trials on radon exposure are not feasible, well-designed individual-level epidemiologic studies are urgently needed to elucidate the possible association between radon (i.e., RDPs) exposure and the onset of dementia.
•All available evidence of radon exposure in relation to dementia/cognitive impairment was evaluated.•The potential biological pathways linking radon exposure and dementia/cognitive impairment were proposed.•More studies of radon exposure in relation to dementia/cognitive impairment are strongly recommended.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Does protracted radon exposure play a role in the development of dementia?
- Creators
- Yijia Zhang - Columbia University Irving Medical CenterLiping Lu - Columbia University Irving Medical CenterCheng Chen - Columbia University Irving Medical CenterR. William Field - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USAMary D'Alton - Columbia University Irving Medical CenterKa Kahe - Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental research, Vol.210, pp.112980-112980
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112980
- PMID
- 35189101
- PMCID
- PMC9081166
- ISSN
- 0013-9351
- eISSN
- 1096-0953
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes of Health, award: R01NS122449, RF1AG056111
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/2022
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984364433002771
Metrics
12 Record Views