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Sudimac S, Kühn S. Can a nature walk change your brain? Investigating hippocampal brain plasticity after one hour in a forest. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024:119813. [PMID: 39155041 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
In cities, the incidence of mental disorders is higher, whereas visits to nature have been reported to benefit mental health and brain function. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how exposure to natural and urban environments affects brain structure. To explore the causal relationship between exposure to these environments and the hippocampal formation, 60 participants were sent on a one-hour walk in either a natural (forest) or an urban environment (busy street), and high-resolution hippocampal imaging was performed before and after the walks. We found that the participants who walked in the forest had an increase in subiculum volume, a hippocampal subfield involved in stress response inhibition, while no change was observed after the urban walk. However, this result did not withstand Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, the increase in subiculum volume after the forest walk was associated with a decrease in self-reported rumination. These results indicate that visits to nature can lead to observable alterations in brain structure, with potential benefits for mental health and implications for public health and urban planning policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Sudimac
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Simone Kühn
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany; University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Martinistr. 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research Berlin, Germany and London, UK, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin Germany
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Pescador Jimenez M, Wagner M, Laden F, Hart JE, Grodstein F, James P. Midlife Residential Greenness and Late-Life Cognitive Decline among Nurses' Health Study Participants. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:77003. [PMID: 39016600 PMCID: PMC11253812 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Midlife residential exposure to greenspace may slow cognitive decline by increasing opportunities for physical activity and social connection, restoring attention, or reducing stress or adverse environmental exposures. However, prospective studies on the association between greenness and cognitive decline are sparse. OBJECTIVE We investigated the prospective association between greenness at midlife and cognitive decline later in life. We explored effect measure modification by apolipoprotein E (APOE)-ɛ4 carrier status, neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES), and rural/urban regions. METHODS The Nurses' Health Study (N = 121,700 ) started in 1976 with married female nurses, 30-55 years of age, located across 11 US states. We examined 16,962 nurses who were enrolled in a substudy starting in 1995-2001 (mean age = 74 y ) through 2008. We assessed average summer residential greenness in a 270 -m buffer using Landsat Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data from 1986-1994. Starting in 1995-2001, participants underwent up to four repeated measures of five cognitive tests. A global composite score was calculated as the average of all z -scores for each task to evaluate overall cognition. We used linear mixed models to evaluate the association of average greenness exposure at midlife with cognitive decline in later life, adjusted for age, education, NSES, and depression. RESULTS In adjusted models, higher midlife greenness exposure [per interquartile range (IQR): 0.18] was associated with a 0.004-unit (95% CI: 0.001, 0.006) slower annual rate of cognitive decline. For comparison, we found that 1 year of age is related to a - 0.006 mean annual difference for global cognition in the full sample; thus, higher midlife greenness appeared equivalent to slowing cognitive decline by ∼ 8 months. In analysis exploring gene-environment interactions, we found that among APOE-ɛ4 carriers, an IQR increase in greenness was associated with a rate of decline that was slower by 0.01 units of global composite score (95% CI: 0.0004, 0.02). This association was attenuated among APOE-ɛ4 noncarriers. We did not observe associations between greenness and baseline or annual rate of cognitive decline of verbal memory. DISCUSSION Higher midlife greenness exposure is associated with slower cognitive decline later in life. Future research is necessary to confirm these findings. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13588.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Pescador Jimenez
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maude Wagner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Medical College and Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jaime E. Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francine Grodstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Medical College and Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Peter James
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Shang X, Wang W, Tian L, Shi D, Huang Y, Zhang X, Zhu Z, Zhang X, Liu J, Tang S, Hu Y, Ge Z, Yu H, He M. Association of greenspace and natural environment with brain volumes mediated by lifestyle and biomarkers among urban residents. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2024; 126:105546. [PMID: 38941948 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the associaiton between environmental measures and brain volumes and its potential mediators. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective study. METHODS Our analysis included 34,454 participants (53.4% females) aged 40-73 years at baseline (between 2006 and 2010) from the UK Biobank. Brain volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging between 2014 and 2019. RESULTS Greater proximity to greenspace buffered at 1000 m at baseline was associated with larger volumes of total brain measured 8.8 years after baseline assessment (standardized β (95% CI) for each 10% increment in coverage: 0.013(0.005,0.020)), grey matter (0.013(0.006,0.020)), and white matter (0.011(0.004,0.017)) after adjustment for covariates and air pollution. The corresponding numbers for natural environment buffered at 1000 m were 0.010 (0.004,0.017), 0.009 (0.004,0.015), and 0.010 (0.004,0.016), respectively. Similar results were observed for greenspace and natural environment buffered at 300 m. The strongest mediator for the association between greenspace buffered at 1000 m and total brain volume was smoking (percentage (95% CI) of total variance explained: 7.9% (5.5-11.4%)) followed by mean sphered cell volume (3.3% (1.8-5.8%)), vitamin D (2.9% (1.6-5.1%)), and creatinine in blood (2.7% (1.6-4.7%)). Significant mediators combined explained 18.5% (13.2-25.3%) of the association with total brain volume and 32.9% (95% CI: 22.3-45.7%) of the association with grey matter volume. The percentage (95% CI) of the association between natural environment and total brain volume explained by significant mediators combined was 20.6% (14.7-28.1%)). CONCLUSIONS Higher coverage percentage of greenspace and environment may benefit brain health by promoting healthy lifestyle and improving biomarkers including vitamin D and red blood cell indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwen Shang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China.
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Le Tian
- Comprehensive department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, PR China
| | - Danli Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, PR China; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China; Research Centre for SHARP Vision, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Yu Huang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Zhuoting Zhu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Xiayin Zhang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Shulin Tang
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Yijun Hu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Zongyuan Ge
- Monash e-Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, Airdoc Research, Nvidia AI Technology Research Center, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Honghua Yu
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
| | - Mingguang He
- Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, PR China; School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China; Research Centre for SHARP Vision, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China.
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Baranyi G, Buchanan CR, Conole ELS, Backhouse EV, Maniega SM, Valdés Hernández MDC, Bastin ME, Wardlaw J, Deary IJ, Cox SR, Pearce J. Life-course neighbourhood deprivation and brain structure in older adults: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02591-9. [PMID: 38773266 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02591-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Neighbourhood disadvantage may be associated with brain health but the importance of exposure at different stages of the life course is poorly understood. Utilising the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, we explored the relationship between residential neighbourhood deprivation from birth to late adulthood, and global and local neuroimaging measures at age 73. A total of 689 participants had at least one valid brain measures (53% male); to maximise the sample size structural equation models with full information maximum likelihood were conducted. Residing in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in mid- to late adulthood was associated with smaller total brain (β = -0.06; SE = 0.02; sample size[N] = 658; number of pairwise complete observations[n]=390), grey matter (β = -0.11; SE = 0.03; N = 658; n = 390), and normal-appearing white matter volumes (β = -0.07; SE = 0.03; N = 658; n = 390), thinner cortex (β = -0.14; SE = 0.06; N = 636; n = 379), and lower general white matter fractional anisotropy (β = -0.19; SE = 0.06; N = 665; n = 388). We also found some evidence on the accumulating impact of neighbourhood deprivation from birth to late adulthood on age 73 total brain (β = -0.06; SE = 0.02; N = 658; n = 276) and grey matter volumes (β = -0.10; SE = 0.04; N = 658; n = 276). Local analysis identified affected focal cortical areas and specific white matter tracts. Among individuals belonging to lower social classes, the brain-neighbourhood associations were particularly strong, with the impact of neighbourhood deprivation on total brain and grey matter volumes, and general white matter fractional anisotropy accumulating across the life course. Our findings suggest that living in deprived neighbourhoods across the life course, but especially in mid- to late adulthood, is associated with adverse brain morphologies, with lower social class amplifying the vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Baranyi
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Colin R Buchanan
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eleanor L S Conole
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ellen V Backhouse
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Susana Muñoz Maniega
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - María Del C Valdés Hernández
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanna Wardlaw
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jamie Pearce
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Polemiti E, Hese S, Schepanski K, Yuan J, Schumann G. How does the macroenvironment influence brain and behaviour-a review of current status and future perspectives. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02557-x. [PMID: 38658771 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02557-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The environment influences brain and mental health, both detrimentally and beneficially. Existing research has emphasised the individual psychosocial 'microenvironment'. Less attention has been paid to 'macroenvironmental' challenges, including climate change, pollution, urbanicity, and socioeconomic disparity. Notably, the implications of climate and pollution on brain and mental health have only recently gained prominence. With the advent of large-scale big-data cohorts and an increasingly dense mapping of macroenvironmental parameters, we are now in a position to characterise the relation between macroenvironment, brain, and behaviour across different geographic and cultural locations globally. This review synthesises findings from recent epidemiological and neuroimaging studies, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence between the macroenvironment and the structure and functions of the brain, with a particular emphasis on its implications for mental illness. We discuss putative underlying mechanisms and address the most common exposures of the macroenvironment. Finally, we identify critical areas for future research to enhance our understanding of the aetiology of mental illness and to inform effective interventions for healthier environments and mental health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elli Polemiti
- Centre of Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sören Hese
- Institute of Geography, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Jiacan Yuan
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences & Institute of Atmospheric Sciences & CMA-FDU Joint Laboratory of Marine Meteorology & IRDR-ICOE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Centre of Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Aravena JM, Lee J, Schwartz AE, Nyhan K, Wang SY, Levy BR. Beneficial Effect of Societal Factors on APOE-ε2 and ε4 Carriers' Brain Health: A Systematic Review. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glad237. [PMID: 37792627 PMCID: PMC10803122 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein-E (APOE) ε4 and ε2 are the most prevalent risk-increasing and risk-reducing genetic predictors of Alzheimer's disease, respectively. However, the extent to which societal factors can reduce the harmful impact of APOE-ε4 and enhance the beneficial impact of APOE-ε2 on brain health has not yet been examined systematically. METHODS To fill this gap, we conducted a systematic review searching for studies in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus until June 2023, that included: (a) 1 of 5 social determinants of health (SDH) identified by Healthy People 2030, (b) APOE-ε2 or APOE-ε4 allele carriers, (c) cognitive or brain-biomarker outcomes, and (d) studies with an analysis of how APOE-ε2 and/ or APOE-ε4 carriers differ on outcomes when exposed to SDH. RESULTS From 14 076 articles retrieved, 124 met the inclusion criteria. In most of the studies, exposure to favorable SDH reduced APOE-ε4's detrimental effect and enhanced APOE-ε2's beneficial effect on cognitive and brain-biomarker outcomes (cognition: 70.5%, n: 74/105; brain-biomarkers: 71.4%, n: 20/28). A similar pattern of results emerged in each of the 5 Healthy People 2030 SDH categories, where finishing high school, having resources to satisfy basic needs, less air pollution, less negative external stimuli that can generate stress (eg, negative age stereotypes), and exposure to multiple favorable SDH were associated with better cognitive and brain health among APOE-ε4 and APOE-ε2 carriers. CONCLUSIONS Societal factors can reduce the harmful impact of APOE-ε4 and enhance the beneficial impact of APOE-ε2 on cognitive outcomes. This suggests that plans to reduce dementia should include community-level policies promoting favorable SDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Aravena
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jakyung Lee
- Institute for Community Care and Health Equity, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of South Korea
| | - Anna E Schwartz
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kate Nyhan
- Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Shi-Yi Wang
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Becca R Levy
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Polemiti E, Hese S, Schepanski K, Yuan J, Schumann G. How does the macroenvironment influence brain and behaviour - a review of current status and future perspectives. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.10.09.23296785. [PMID: 37873310 PMCID: PMC10593044 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.09.23296785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The environment influences mental health, both detrimentally and beneficially. Current research has emphasized the individual psychosocial 'microenvironment'. Less attention has been paid to 'macro-environmental' challenges including climate change, pollution, urbanicity and socioeconomic disparity. With the advent of large-scale big-data cohorts and an increasingly dense mapping of macroenvironmental parameters, we are now in a position to characterise the relation between macroenvironment, brain, and behaviour across different geographic and cultural locations globally. This review synthesises findings from recent epidemiological and neuroimaging studies, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence between the macroenvironment and the structure and functions of the brain, with a particular emphasis on its implications for mental illness. We discuss putative underlying mechanisms and address the most common exposures of the macroenvironment. Finally, we identify critical areas for future research to enhance our understanding of the aetiology of mental illness and to inform effective interventions for healthier environments and mental health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elli Polemiti
- Centre of Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Soeren Hese
- Institute of Geography, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | | | - Jiacan Yuan
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences & Institute of Atmospheric Sciences & CMA-FDU Joint Laboratory of Marine Meteorology & IRDR-ICOE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Centre of Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Besser LM, Lovasi GS, Zambrano JJ, Camacho S, Dhanekula D, Michael YL, Garg P, Hirsch JA, Siscovick D, Hurvitz PM, Biggs ML, Galvin JE, Bartz TM, Longstreth WT. Neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood income associated with white matter grade worsening: Cardiovascular Health Study. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12484. [PMID: 37885920 PMCID: PMC10598801 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We examined whether a combined measure of neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood median income was associated with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and ventricle size changes. METHODS The sample included 1260 cognitively normal ≥ 65-year-olds with two magnetic resonance images (MRI; ≈ 5 years apart). WMH and ventricular size were graded from 0 (least) to 9 (most) abnormal (worsening = increase of ≥1 grade from initial to follow-up MRI scans). The four-category neighborhood greenspace-income measure was based on median neighborhood greenspace and income values at initial MRI. Multivariable logistic regression tested associations between neighborhood greenspace-income and MRI measures (worsening vs. not). RESULTS White matter grade worsening was more likely for those in lower greenspace-lower income neighborhoods than higher greenspace-higher income neighborhoods (odds ratio = 1.73; 95% confidence interval = 1.19-2.51). DISCUSSION The combination of lower neighborhood income and lower greenspace may be a risk factor for worsening white matter grade on MRI. However, findings need to be replicated in more diverse cohorts. HIGHLIGHTS Population-based cohort of older adults (≥ 65 years) with greenspace and MRI dataCombined measure of neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood income at initial MRIMRI outcomes included white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and ventricular sizeLongitudinal change in MRI outcomes measured approximately 5 years apartWorsening WMH over time more likely for lower greenspace-lower income neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilah M. Besser
- Comprehensive Center for Brain HealthDepartment of NeurologyUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineBoca RatonFloridaUSA
| | - Gina S. Lovasi
- Urban Health Collaborative and Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsDornslife School of Public HealthDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Joyce Jimenez Zambrano
- Comprehensive Center for Brain HealthDepartment of NeurologyUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineBoca RatonFloridaUSA
| | - Simone Camacho
- Comprehensive Center for Brain HealthDepartment of NeurologyUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineBoca RatonFloridaUSA
| | | | - Yvonne L. Michael
- Urban Health Collaborative and Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsDornslife School of Public HealthDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Parveen Garg
- Division of CardiologyKeck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jana A. Hirsch
- Urban Health Collaborative and Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsDornslife School of Public HealthDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - David Siscovick
- Division of ResearchEvaluation, and PolicyThe New York Academy of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Philip M. Hurvitz
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology and Urban Form LabUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Mary L. Biggs
- Department of BiostatisticsSchool of Public HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - James E. Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain HealthDepartment of NeurologyMiller School of MedicineUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Traci M. Bartz
- Department of BiostatisticsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - W. T. Longstreth
- Departments of Neurology and EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
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Li F, Liu W, Hu C, Tang M, Zhang Y, Ho HC, Peng S, Li Z, Wang Q, Li X, Xu B, Li F. Global association of greenness exposure with risk of nervous system disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162773. [PMID: 36933739 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Nervous system disease (NSD) is a global health burden with increasing prevalence in the last 30 years. There is evidence that greenness can improve nervous system health through a variety of mechanisms; however, the evidence is inconsistent. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined the relationship between greenness exposure and NSD outcomes. Studies on the relationship between greenness and NSD health outcomes published till July 2022 were searched in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. In addition, we searched the cited literature and updated our search on Jan 20, 2023, to identify any new studies. We included human epidemiological studies that assess the association of greenness exposure with the risk of NSD. Greenness exposure was measured using NDVI (the normalized difference vegetation index) and the outcome was the mortality or morbidity of NSD. The pooled relative risks (RRs) were estimated using a random effects model. Of 2059 identified studies, 15 studies were included in our quantitative evaluation, in which 11 studies found a significant inverse relationship between the risk of NSD mortality or incidence/prevalence and an increase in surrounding greenness. The pooled RRs for cerebrovascular diseases (CBVD), neurodegenerative diseases (ND), and stroke mortality were 0.98 (95 % CI: 0.97, 1.00), 0.98 (95 % CI: 0.98, 0.99), and 0.96 (95 % CI: 0.93, 1.00), respectively. The pooled RRs for PD incidence and stroke prevalence/incidence were 0.89 (95 % CI: 0.78, 1.02) and 0.98 (95 % CI: 0.97, 0.99), respectively. The confidence of evidence for ND mortality, stroke mortality, and stroke prevalence/incidence was downgraded to "low", while CBVD mortality and PD incidence were downgraded to "very low" due to inconsistency. We found no evidence of publication bias and the sensitivity analysis results of all subgroups are robust except for the stroke mortality subgroup. This is the first comprehensive meta-analysis of greenness exposure and NSD outcomes in which an inverse relationship was observed. It is necessary to conduct further research to ascertain the role greenness exposure plays in various NSDs and the management of greenness should be considered a public health strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzheng Li
- School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Art, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao 276826, China
| | - Chengyang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Mingcheng Tang
- School of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yunquan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Hung Chak Ho
- Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Shijia Peng
- Charles Davis's Lab Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Zhouyuan Li
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qing Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health/National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiong Li
- School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, 10084 Beijing, China
| | - Fengyi Li
- School of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
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10
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Besser LM, Jimenez MP, Reimer CJ, Meyer OL, Mitsova D, George KM, Adkins-Jackson PB, Galvin JE. Diversity of Studies on Neighborhood Greenspace and Brain Health by Racialized/Ethnic Group and Geographic Region: A Rapid Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5666. [PMID: 37174185 PMCID: PMC10178609 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies examining associations between greenspace and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) outcomes are rapidly on the rise, yet no known literature reviews have summarized the racialized/ethnic group and geographic variation of those published studies. This is a significant gap given the known disparities in both greenspace access and ADRD risk between racialized/ethnic groups and between developed versus developing countries. In this rapid literature review, we (1) describe the diversity of published greenspace-brain health studies with respect to racialized/ethnic groups and geographic regions; (2) determine the extent to which published studies have investigated racialized/ethnic group differences in associations; and (3) review methodological issues surrounding studies of racialized/ethnic group disparities in greenspace and brain health associations. Of the 57 papers meeting our inclusion criteria as of 4 March 2022, 21% (n = 12) explicitly identified and included individuals who were Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and/or Asian. Twenty-one percent of studies (n = 12) were conducted in developing countries (e.g., China, Dominican Republic, Mexico), and 7% (n = 4) examined racialized/ethnic group differences in greenspace-brain health associations. None of the studies were framed by health disparities, social/structural determinants of health, or related frameworks, despite the known differences in both greenspace availability/quality and dementia risk by racialized/ethnic group and geography. Studies are needed in developing countries and that directly investigate racialized/ethnic group disparities in greenspace-brain health associations to target and promote health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilah M. Besser
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33433, USA
| | - Marcia Pescador Jimenez
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Cameron J. Reimer
- Department of Earth & Environment, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Oanh L. Meyer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Diana Mitsova
- School of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Kristen M. George
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA
| | - Paris B. Adkins-Jackson
- Departments of Epidemiology and Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - James E. Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33433, USA
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11
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Baranyi G, Buchanan CR, Conole EL, Backhouse EV, Maniega SM, Hernandez MV, Bastin ME, Wardlaw J, Deary IJ, Cox SR, Pearce J. Life-course neighbourhood deprivation and brain structure in older adults: The Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.13.23288523. [PMID: 37131666 PMCID: PMC10153312 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.13.23288523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Neighbourhood disadvantage may be associated with brain health but the importance at different stages of the life course is poorly understood. Utilizing the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, we explored the relationship between residential neighbourhood deprivation from birth to late adulthood, and global and regional neuroimaging measures at age 73. We found that residing in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in mid- to late adulthood was associated with smaller total brain (β=-0.06; SE=0.02; n=390) and grey matter volume (β=-0.11; SE=0.03; n=390), thinner cortex (β=-0.15; SE=0.06; n=379), and lower general white matter fractional anisotropy (β=-0.19; SE=0.06; n=388). Regional analysis identified affected focal cortical areas and specific white matter tracts. Among individuals belonging to lower occupational social classes, the brain-neighbourhood associations were stronger, with the impact of neighbourhood deprivation accumulating across the life course. Our findings suggest that living in deprived neighbourhoods is associated with adverse brain morphologies, with occupational social class adding to the vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Baranyi
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Colin R. Buchanan
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eleanor L.S. Conole
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ellen V. Backhouse
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
| | - Susana Muñoz Maniega
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
| | - Maria Valdes Hernandez
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
| | - Mark E. Bastin
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanna Wardlaw
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (CCBS), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
| | - Ian J. Deary
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon R. Cox
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Scottish Imaging Network, A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jamie Pearce
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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12
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Godina SL, Rosso AL, Hirsch JA, Besser LM, Lovasi GS, Donovan GH, Garg PK, Platt JM, Fitzpatrick AL, Lopez OL, Carlson MC, Michael YL. Neighborhood greenspace and cognition: The cardiovascular health study. Health Place 2023; 79:102960. [PMID: 36603455 PMCID: PMC9928891 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined whether greenspace measures (overall percent greenspace and forest, and number of greenspace types) were associated with clinically adjudicated dementia status. METHODS In a sample of non-demented older adults (n = 2141, average age = 75.3 years) from the Cardiovascular Health and Cognition Study, Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations of baseline greenspace with risks of incident dementia and MCI, respectively, while adjusting for demographics, co-morbidities, and other neighborhood factors. We derived quartiles of percent greenness (greenspace), forest (percent tree canopy cover), and tertiles of greenspace diversity (number of greenspace types) for 5-km radial buffers around participant's residences at study entry (1989-1990) from the 1992 National Land Cover Dataset. Dementia status and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over 10 years was clinically adjudicated. RESULTS We observed no significant association between overall percent greenspace and risk of mild cognitive impairment or dementia and mostly null results for forest and greenspace diversity. Forest greenspace was associated with lower odds of MCI (OR quartile 4 versus 1: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29-0.98) and greenspace diversity was associated with lower hazard of incident dementia (HR tertile 2 versus 1: 0.70, 95% CI = 0.50-0.99). DISCUSSION We found divergent results for different types of greenspace and mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Improved greenspace type and diversity measurement could better characterize the association between greenspace and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L Godina
- University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
| | - Andrea L Rosso
- University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Jana A Hirsch
- Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Urban Health Collaborative, 3600 Market Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lilah M Besser
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 7700 W Camino Real, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL, 33433, USA
| | - Gina S Lovasi
- Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Urban Health Collaborative, 3600 Market Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Geoffrey H Donovan
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, PNW Research Station, 620 SW Main, Suite 502, Portland, OR, 97205, USA
| | - Parveen K Garg
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 1975 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Jonathan M Platt
- The University of Iowa, College of Public Health, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Annette L Fitzpatrick
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 3980 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Oscar L Lopez
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Kaufmann Medical Building, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Michelle C Carlson
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Mental Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yvonne L Michael
- Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Urban Health Collaborative, 3600 Market Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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13
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Hu HY, Ma YH, Deng YT, Ou YN, Cheng W, Feng JF, Tan L, Yu JT. Residential greenness and risk of incident dementia: A prospective study of 375,342 participants. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114703. [PMID: 36334822 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Incorporation of greenspace may be a novel environmental policy that might result in positive health effects; hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between residential greenness and dementia incidence. The effects of particulate air pollution on mediating dementia were also determined. METHODS A prospective cohort study involving 375,342 UK biobank participants was conducted, in which Cox regression models were used to determine the association of greenspace exposure with the risks of all-cause dementia (ACD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Sociodemographic variables, lifestyle or dietary characteristics and apolipoprotein E4 status were controlled using two levels of adjusted models. Mediation analyses were performed to determine the mediation effects of PMs. RESULTS The results indicated that there were 4929 ACD, 2132 AD, and 1184 VD incidents throughout the 8-year study. In the multi-adjusted model, each interquartile increment in greenspace (buffer 300m) conferred the lower risks of ACD (HR = 0.968, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.938-1.000]) and VD (HR = 0.926, 95% CI: 0.867-0.989). The fourth greenspace quartile conferred also reduced risks of ACD (HR = 0.891, 95% CI: 0.804-0.989) and VD (HR = 0.778, 95% CI: 0.630-0.960) in reference to the first quartile. With regard to 1000m catchment, each interquartile increment conferred a 5.0% (95% CI: 1.8-8.1) lower risk of ACD, and the fourth greenspace quartile conferred a 10.9% (95% CI: 0.9-19.8) lower risk of ACD compared to the first quartile. The protective effect of greenness might be mediated based on the reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 (Pindirect effect<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increasing greenness reduces the risk of dementia. This study suggests that greenspace is an environmental strategy that helps prevent dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- He-Ying Hu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Ya-Hui Ma
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Yue-Ting Deng
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ya-Nan Ou
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Wei Cheng
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jian-Feng Feng
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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14
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Fernández Núñez MB, Campos Suzman L, Maneja R, Bach A, Marquet O, Anguelovski I, Knobel P. The Differences by Sex and Gender in the Relationship Between Urban Greenness and Cardiometabolic Health: A Systematic Review. J Urban Health 2022; 99:1054-1067. [PMID: 36180810 PMCID: PMC9727044 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-022-00685-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In an increasingly urbanized world, where cardiometabolic issues in cities have raised public health concerns, urban greenness is known to be beneficial for some of the most common health issues. However, the examination of the contribution of sex and gender regarding the benefits of urban greenness for people's cardiometabolic health is lacking. For that reason, we conducted a systematic review of previous literature on the topic following the PRISMA methodology. Additionally, we assessed the quality of the included articles, which we found satisfactory as most papers were of very good or good quality. We explored the relationship between urban greenness exposure and cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Results suggest that urban greenness is protective against cardiovascular risk factors, diseases, and mortality. When stratifying results by sex and gender, findings point to urban greenness being more beneficial for women and females in stroke and cardiovascular risk factors, except for hypertension and lipid accumulation product. On the other hand, males were more protected by urban greenness in terms of cardiovascular diseases and CVD-related mortality, thus proving that sex and gender health inequalities exist. Furthermore, looking towards the future, research needs to use the proper terminology for sex and gender and policy makers should design urban greenness with a gender perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lia Campos Suzman
- Environmental Science and Technology Institute (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Maneja
- Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Ctra. de St. Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280, Solsona, Spain
- Environment and Human Health Laboratory (EH2 Lab), Ctra. de St. Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280, Solsona, Spain
- Geography Department, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Bach
- Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, Ctra. de St. Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280, Solsona, Spain
- Environment and Human Health Laboratory (EH2 Lab), Ctra. de St. Llorenç de Morunys, km 2, 25280, Solsona, Spain
| | - Oriol Marquet
- Geography Department, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabelle Anguelovski
- Environmental Science and Technology Institute (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Institució Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Knobel
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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15
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Jimenez MP, Elliott EG, DeVille NV, Laden F, Hart JE, Weuve J, Grodstein F, James P. Residential Green Space and Cognitive Function in a Large Cohort of Middle-Aged Women. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e229306. [PMID: 35476063 PMCID: PMC9047638 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.9306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Green space can decelerate cognitive decline by supporting physical activity, psychological restoration, or reducing exposure to air pollution. However, existing studies on the association of green space with cognitive decline are limited. Objective To examine whether residential green space was associated with cognitive function in middle-aged women. Design, Setting, and Participants Starting in 1989, the Nurses' Health Study II enrolled 116 429 female nurses aged 25 to 42 years residing in the US. In 2014 to 2016, 40 082 women were invited to complete an online cognitive battery. This cohort study analyzed women who had data on both green space exposure and cognitive measures. Data analysis was conducted from June to October 2021. Exposures Residential exposure to green space was assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, a satellite-derived indicator of the quantity of ground vegetation. Landsat satellite data at 270-m and 1230-m buffers around each participants' residential addresses in 2013 were used. Main Outcomes and Measures In 2014 to 2016, cognitive function was measured using a self-administered online battery, the Cogstate Brief Battery, consisting of 4 tasks measuring psychomotor speed, attention, learning, and working memory; 3 composite scores, averaging together all tasks, psychomotor speed/attention, and learning/working memory, were created. In addition, the study evaluated potential mediators, including air pollution, depression, and physical activity. Results The analytical sample included 13 594 women, of whom 13 293 (98%) were White. Mean (SD) age was 61.2 (4.6) years. In models adjusted for age at assessment, race, childhood, adulthood, and neighborhood socioeconomic status, green space was associated with higher scores on the global Cogstate composite (mean difference per IQR in green space, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.07), and psychomotor speed/attention (mean difference in score, 0.05 standard units; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.08). This difference in scores is similar to the difference observed in women 1 year apart in age in the data. By contrast, there was no association between green space and learning/working memory (mean difference, 0.0300; 95% CI, -0.0003 to 0.0500). Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that increasing residential green space may be associated with modest benefits in cognition in middle-aged women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia P. Jimenez
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Now with Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elise G. Elliott
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicole V. DeVille
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jaime E. Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer Weuve
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francine Grodstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Medical College, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Peter James
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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16
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Slawsky ED, Hajat A, Rhew IC, Russette H, Semmens EO, Kaufman JD, Leary CS, Fitzpatrick AL. Neighborhood greenspace exposure as a protective factor in dementia risk among U.S. adults 75 years or older: a cohort study. Environ Health 2022; 21:14. [PMID: 35033073 PMCID: PMC8760791 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00830-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that greenspace may confer neurocognitive benefits. This study examines whether residential greenspace is associated with risk of dementia among older adults. METHODS Greenspace exposure was computed for 3047 participants aged 75 years and older enrolled in the Gingko Evaluation of Memory Study (GEMS) across four U.S. sites that prospectively evaluated dementia and its subtypes, Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and mixed pathologies, using neuropsychiatric evaluations between 2000 and 2008. After geocoding participant residences at baseline, three greenspace metrics-Normalized Difference Vegetative Index, percent park overlap within a 2-km radius, and linear distance to nearest park-were combined to create a composite residential greenspace measure categorized into tertiles. Cox proportional hazards models estimated the associations between baseline greenspace and risk of incident all-cause dementia, AD, and Mixed/VaD. RESULTS Compared to low residential greenspace, high residential greenspace was associated with a reduced risk of dementia (HR = 0.76 95% CI: 0.59,0.98) in models adjusted for multiple covariates. After additional adjustment for behavioral characteristics, Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 status, and other covariates, the association was slightly attenuated (HR = 0.82; 95% CI:0.63,1.06). Those exposed to medium levels of greenspace also had 28% lower risk (HR = 0.72; CI: 0.55, 0.95) of dementia compared to those with low greenspace in adjusted models. Subtype associations between high residential greenspace and AD were not statistically significant. Greenspace was not found to be significantly associated with mixed/vascular pathologies. CONCLUSIONS This study showed evidence for an association between residential greenspace and all-cause dementia among older adults. Future research with larger sample size, precise characterization of different dementia subtypes, and assessment of residential greenspace earlier in life may help clarify the role between exposure to greenspace and dementia risk.
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17
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Zagnoli F, Filippini T, Jimenez MP, Wise LA, Hatch EE, Vinceti M. Is Greenness Associated with Dementia? A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:574-590. [PMID: 35857243 PMCID: PMC9729322 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00365-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We assessed the relation between environmental greenness and risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis up to March 30, 2022, characterizing whenever possible the shape of the association using dose-response meta-analysis. RECENT FINDINGS Twelve studies were included in this review, either using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) or land use/cover (LU/LC) methodology to assess greenness. Comparing the highest versus lowest exposure categories of greenness assessed using the NDVI (6 studies) or LU/LC (6 studies), we found no association with dementia. Dose-response meta-analysis of the association between greenness measured by LU/LC and dementia, based on only 3 studies, indicated a U-shaped association, but estimates were imprecise. Our systematic review and meta-analysis provided some evidence of a slight inverse association between greenness and dementia at intermediate exposure levels, but not at high levels. Potential methodological limitations, such as exposure misclassification and unmeasured confounding, may have affected the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Zagnoli
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, 287 Via Campi, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Filippini
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, 287 Via Campi, 41125 Modena, Italy ,School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
| | - Marcia P. Jimenez
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Lauren A. Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Elizabeth E. Hatch
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118 USA
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, 287 Via Campi, 41125 Modena, Italy ,Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118 USA
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