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New research found that living in urban areas raises the risk of a person developing Alzheimer's disease, along with other forms of dementia such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, according to published research in MarketWatch.

Scientific Researchers Weiran Yuchi, Hind Sbihi, Hugh Davies, Lilliam Tamburic and Michael Brauer published a paper in the peer-reviewed biomedical journal "Environmental Health" that outlined the increasing pattern of associations between living close to major roads that produce air pollution and the hazard of developing neurological diseases. 

Brauer, one of the researchers and a professor of medicine at theUniversity of British Colombia, confirmed in MarketWatch that living within 50 meters of a major road seems to be a major risk factor. The researchers also added that people whose homes are within these locations are:

  • 19% more likely to develop Alzheimer's
  • 14% more likely to develop other forms of dementia
  • 7% more likely to develop Parkinson's   
  • 25% more likely to develop multiple sclerosis

The study conducted was based on 678,000 people's health and living data in Vancouver, British Colombia from the years 1994 to 2003. The researchers intended to conduct the study in British Colombia because of their universal health care, they were also able to get detailed health data on every individual and compared the data gathered based on where they live. Moreover, information about their location includes estimates for traffic pollution and the number of green spaces in the neighborhood.

However, this is not the first study conducted in recent years that establishes the link of living in urban areas, pollution, and their causing of neurological damages. Some of the studies include the following:

  • In a study conducted in Germany that was participated in by nearly 5,000 older people found that: "Most air pollutants and traffic noise were associated with overall MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)." 
  • A study in the United States which included nearly 700 people found that: "Ambient traffic-related air pollution was associated with decreased cognitive function in older men." 
  • A 15-year old study in Sweden which was participated in by more than 1,800 people concluded that: "Air pollution from traffic might be an important risk factor for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease." 

Moreover, there was also a study a decade ago in the United States where they found that "stroke incidence and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease pathology are linked to air pollution." 

However, despite the published studies and researchers that established the link between living in urban areas and the hazard of developing the neurological diseases mentioned, is not yet fully understood, but scientists believe that pollution is known to affect the lungs, cardiovascular system, and the central nervous system.

Experts also note that Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia pose a high and rising risk to society overall as life expectancy rises and the population ages and people are more likely to develop dementia as they age. However, those who have dementia can live longer if they are well taken care of. 

Meanwhile, taking care of people who have neurological diseases can also affect the members of the family. This may cause them to develop depression and other mental health-related issues. Many of the families who are taking care of a diseased relative are facing financial issues and sometimes prevent them from holding full-time jobs.

Many American families cannot afford nursing homes for their relatives who have neurological diseases as it typically costs around $100,000 a year. Medicare does not pay for long-term nursing home services and once the family has exhausted most of their money, the costs in paying the nursing home will fall on U.S. taxpayers through Medicaid.