Understanding the effects of air pollution on neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the growing and adult brain.

Understanding the effects of air pollution on neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the growing and adult brain. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2019 Dec 30;50:61-66 Authors: Boda E, Rigamonti AE, Bollati V Abstract Exposure to air pollution - and particularly to particulate matter (PM) - is strongly associated with higher risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, poor mental health and cognitive defects. In animal models, disruption of CNS development and disturbances of adult neurogenesis contribute to PM neurotoxicity. Recent studies show that gestational PM exposure not only affects embryonic neurodevelopment, but also disturbs postnatal brain growth and maturation, by interfering with neurogenic/gliogenic events, myelination and synaptogenesis. Similarly, adult neurogenesis is affected at many levels, from neural stem cell amplification up to the maturation and integration of novel neurons in the adult brain parenchyma. The underlying mechanisms are still by and large unknown. Beyond microglia activation and neuroinflammation, recent studies propose a role for novel epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and extracellular vesicles-associated microRNAs. PMID: 31896533 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Current Opinion in Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Curr Opin Pharmacol Source Type: research