Exploring the effects of environmental pollutants on brain health
Over five years, the ExpoSignalz project aims to investigate how specific chemical pollutants, such as persistent organic pollutants, electronic waste, emerging pesticides of concern and pharmaceutical residues, affect brain ageing and contribute to dementia, which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
The project will identify pollutants that possess neurotoxic and pro-amyloidogenic properties through experimental studies. These findings will be cross-validated with data from epidemiological studies that assess chemical exposure in humans, using samples from several existing cohorts. ExpoSignalz aims to deepen our understanding of how these pollutants impact brain health.
Researchers will investigate these effects across different life stages, with a particular focus on the underlying biological mechanisms. The ultimate goal is to support early diagnosis and develop preventive strategies, particularly for Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for approximately 70% of all dementia cases.
