Alzheimer’s Risk Linked To Light Pollution:

Context

Recent research has identified a potential link between light pollution and Alzheimer's disease.

About Light Pollution

This refers to the excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial light that interferes with natural darkness.
It is commonly caused by streetlights, advertisements, and other outdoor lighting that illuminates the night sky.
Prevalence: Approximately 80% of the global population is affected by light pollution, which is prevalent in urban and suburban areas where artificial lighting is extensive.
Impact
- Health Effects: Light pollution disrupts natural circadian rhythms, which can lead to various health problems, including sleep disorders, increased stress levels, obesity, diabetes, and depression, conditions.
- Environmental Impact: It disrupts ecosystems and natural behaviors in nocturnal animals.

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills
It is the most common form of dementia, characterized by progressive cognitive decline. It leads to severe memory loss, confusion, and difficulties with everyday tasks.
Pathology: The disease involves the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which impair neuron function and lead to memory and cognitive deficits.
- Tau is a protein that when it occurs in tangled formations in the brain of Alzheimer patients, disrupts the ability of neurons to communicate with one another in the brain.
Treatment: There is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment addresses several areas:
- Helping people maintain brain health.
- Managing behavioral symptoms.
- Slowing or delaying symptoms of the disease.
Prevalence and Impact:

Global Statistics: Over 55 million people globally suffer from dementia, with Alzheimer’s accounting for about 75% of these cases.
In India: An estimated 3 to 9 million Indians are affected by Alzheimer's, a number expected to rise with an aging population.

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