Air pollution and cognitive aging: a systematic review of 16 mediation studies
This systematic review of 16 epidemiological studies examined possible mediators between ambient air pollution exposure and cognitive aging; cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases emerged as a potential key mediator, while mental health, sleep and lung function also showed mediating potential. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review identified 16 studies with 72 unique exposure-mediator-outcome associations for six pollutants; PM2.5 accounted for 65% of analyses. [1]
Cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases emerged as a potential key mediator; mental health, sleep and lung function also showed mediating potential but need confirmation. [1]
Reporting quality was generally good, but most studies had some risk of bias, particularly in outcome assessment and confounding adjustment. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Systematic review of epidemiological studies (abstract)
- Population / context
- Epidemiological studies of ambient air pollution exposure and cognitive aging in human populations
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 22, 2026
Six pollutants and cognitive outcomes in 16 studies
The review identified 16 epidemiological studies covering 72 unique exposure-mediator-outcome associations for six pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, NO2, NOX, black carbon and PM1 components. PM2.5 was the most studied pollutant, accounting for 65% of analyses. Cognitive outcomes included memory, cognitive processing speed and clinically diagnosed conditions such as dementia incidence.
Supporting source [1]
Vascular disease as potential key mediator
Potential mediators spanned mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress), lung function (FEV1, FVC, PEF), vascular diseases (stroke, hypertension), inflammation (CRP), metabolic factors (type 2 diabetes), sleep and neuroanatomical changes. Cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases emerged as a potential key mediator. Mental health outcomes, sleep and lung function also showed mediating potential, but the review states further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Supporting source [1]
Reporting quality good, but risk of bias common
The quality of mediation analysis reporting was generally good, but most studies had some risk of bias, particularly in outcome assessment and confounding adjustment. The review highlights the need for rigorous causal mediation analyses and standardized reporting to better understand the pathways linking air pollution to cognitive aging and to identify targeted preventive measures.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The review covers 16 epidemiological studies, and most had some risk of bias, particularly in outcome assessment and confounding adjustment. Mediation findings are described as potential, and the review states further research is needed to confirm them.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Zare Sakhvidi MJ, Burte E, Mehrparvar A, Mortamais M, Letellier N, Jacquemin B. · europepmc.org · August 22, 2026