Abstract
TPS 732: Neurological effects in adults, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 27, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Background/Aim: Age-related cognitive decline is a growing public health issue as increases in life expectancy and the aging of the baby boom generation are expected to raise the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia. Evidence suggests that ambient air pollution from traffic and other sources may be an important risk factor for cognitive decline. We evaluated the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and cognitive decline in a cohort of urban dwelling older adults and tested whether this association is modified by APOE-ε4 status, a known genetic risk factor for cognitive decline. Methods: The Washington Heights Inwood Community Aging Project (WHICAP) is a prospective, community-based study of aging and dementia in older adults in Northern Manhattan, NYC. At baseline, participants underwent neuropsychological testing and medical examinations. Follow-up assessments occur every 18-24 months. We used mixed-effects models to evaluate the association between markers of ambient air pollution (nitrogen dioxide [NO2]), fine [PM2.5], and coarse [PM10] particulate matter) and measures of global and domain-specific cognitive decline, adjusting for sociodemographic factors and temporal trends. Inverse-probability-of-censoring weights were used to account for selective attrition. Interaction terms were included in the models to assess potential effect modification by APOE-ε4 status. Results: Among 5,330 participants, individuals exposed to higher residential concentrations of NO2 (per IQR) had lower global cognitive scores at baseline (β=-0.13, 95%CI -0.19, -0.07) and more rapid decline (β=-0.05, 95%CI -0.06, -0.04), equivalent to approximately one year of aging. Results for PM2.5 and PM10 and from individual functional cognitive domains were similar. The effect of NO2 on cognitive function and decline was stronger among APOE ε4 negative individuals compared to those who were APOE-ε4 positive. Conclusions: These results add to the growing evidence base surrounding the role of air pollution on accelerated cognitive aging and brain health, particularly in aging urban populations.
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