Link Between Water Pollution and Rare Brain Disease Revealed
A rare neurodegenerative disease may be linked not only to age but also to environmental factors. New research indicates a connection with industrial pollutants, where both the type of substances and the duration of living near emission sources play a role.
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease that disrupts movement and balance. It belongs to a group of atypical parkinsonian disorders, developing faster than Parkinson's disease. The exact causes of PSP are unknown, but toxic substances are considered a potential risk factor.
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Researchers from Harvard Medical School and other institutions examined whether the likelihood of developing PSP is related to proximity to industrial sites polluting water. They analyzed data from over 220 individuals diagnosed with PSP and compared them to a control group of 2249 participants.
To assess potential exposure to pollutants, scientists compared participants' addresses with data from the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register from 2007. They found a significant connection for four categories of pollutants. For those living near facilities emitting pesticides, the likelihood of receiving a PSP diagnosis was 66% higher.
Further analysis showed that the correlation weakened with increasing distance from homes to industrial sites—approximately up to 10 kilometers. Increased risk of PSP was found in individuals who had lived at least 40 years near sources of heavy metals and other pollutants.
However, it cannot be claimed that industrial water pollution directly causes PSP, as researchers assessed proximity to facilities rather than the actual dose of pollutants each individual received.
