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Review

Air Pollution-Induced Neurotoxicity: The Relationship Between Air Pollution, Epigenetic Changes, and Neurological Disorders

by
Sebastian Kalenik
1,2,
Agnieszka Zaczek
1 and
Aleksandra Rodacka
1,*
1
Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 141/143 Pomorska Street, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
2
Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Lodz, 21/23 Jana Matejki Street, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 3402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073402
Submission received: 18 March 2025 / Revised: 2 April 2025 / Accepted: 4 April 2025 / Published: 5 April 2025

Abstract

Air pollution is a major global health threat, responsible for over 8 million deaths in 2021, including 700,000 fatalities among children under the age of five. It is currently the second leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. Key pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, have significant adverse effects on human health, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Among these, particulate matter poses the most significant threat due to its highly complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds with diverse sizes, compositions, and origins. Additionally, it can penetrate deeply into tissues and cross the blood–brain barrier, causing neurotoxicity which contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Although the link between air pollution and neurological disorders is well documented, the precise mechanisms and their sequence remain unclear. Beyond causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and excitotoxicity, studies suggest that air pollution induces epigenetic changes. These epigenetic alterations may affect the expression of genes involved in stress responses, neuroprotection, and synaptic plasticity. Understanding the relationship between neurological disorders and epigenetic changes induced by specific air pollutants could aid in the early detection and monitoring of central nervous system diseases.
Keywords: air pollution; particulate matter; neurodegenerative diseases; chronic inflammation; oxidative stress; epigenetics air pollution; particulate matter; neurodegenerative diseases; chronic inflammation; oxidative stress; epigenetics

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MDPI and ACS Style

Kalenik, S.; Zaczek, A.; Rodacka, A. Air Pollution-Induced Neurotoxicity: The Relationship Between Air Pollution, Epigenetic Changes, and Neurological Disorders. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 3402. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073402

AMA Style

Kalenik S, Zaczek A, Rodacka A. Air Pollution-Induced Neurotoxicity: The Relationship Between Air Pollution, Epigenetic Changes, and Neurological Disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(7):3402. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073402

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kalenik, Sebastian, Agnieszka Zaczek, and Aleksandra Rodacka. 2025. "Air Pollution-Induced Neurotoxicity: The Relationship Between Air Pollution, Epigenetic Changes, and Neurological Disorders" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 7: 3402. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073402

APA Style

Kalenik, S., Zaczek, A., & Rodacka, A. (2025). Air Pollution-Induced Neurotoxicity: The Relationship Between Air Pollution, Epigenetic Changes, and Neurological Disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(7), 3402. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073402

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