Stony Brook University researchers have found evidence of amyloidosis in the brains of some World Trade Center (WTC) responders, nearly 25 years after the attacks. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, indicates a connection between the duration of exposure at Ground Zero and the presence of amyloid deposits in the brain.
Amyloid is a protein that can accumulate abnormally in tissues and organs, leading to conditions like amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease. The study involved brain scans of 35 WTC responders, with an average age of 56. "The take home point with this study is that we saw from the imaging that duration of WTC exposures had a direct link to amyloid in the brain, specifically in the olfactory cortex," said Sean Clouston, PhD, lead author and professor at Stony Brook University.
Clouston highlighted that responders exposed for extended periods without masks showed significant amyloid deposits in their brains' olfactory regions. Benjamin Luft, MD, co-author and director of Stony Brook's WTC Health and Wellness Program added, "It is also important to emphasize that the presence of amyloid was associated with cognitive impairment in this cohort." Nearly half of those studied exhibited cognitive issues.
Over three years, positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were conducted on volunteer patients monitored by Stony Brook's program. These individuals were exposed to fine particulate matter and air pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins without protective masks.
The research suggests these exposures may contribute to a novel form of neuropathology related to aging at younger ages. "Findings imply that exposure to air pollution may be a cause of a novel form of neuropathology in severely and chronically exposed individuals," noted the authors. They recommend efforts to mitigate workplace exposures to reduce dementia risk.
The research was funded by grants from organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and National Institute on Aging.