光污染与阿尔兹海默症风险显著相关 这项研究的科研人员把美国48个州的光污染情况和本地区的医疗记录进行了比对，令人惊讶的是，他们竟然 发现光污染和阿尔兹海默症之间存在显著正相关，这种巧合也引起了科研人员的兴趣。 或许，居住在城市的你，总是享受早上被阳光唤醒的清晨，但是夜间不得不和窗外照进来的灯光相伴；又或 许，总是起夜的你，习惯留一盏夜灯，为你提供方便。 但是2024年9月发表于《神经科学前沿》的一项研究表明，这些在你睡眠时与你相伴的光线不仅会影响你休 息，还可能会增加阿尔兹海默症的风险。不过需要注意的是，这篇研究目前只是个前沿性的研究，所以只是 提出了这种可能性，还不能得出确切的结论，但是为进一步了解阿尔兹海默症、降低阿尔兹海默症风险提供 了新思路。 △美国各大州光污染程度和阿尔兹海默症患病情况 他们继而对被影响到的群体进行了更细致的划分，对于65岁以上的人，阿尔兹海默症的风险因素包括酗酒、 慢性肾病、抑郁症、糖尿病和高血压，光污染程度只是其中的风险因素之一。 而对于65岁以下的人群，在研究评估的众多因素中，光污染程度可能是影响阿尔兹海默症患病风险的第一大 因素。不过需要注意的是，这只能证明光污染和阿尔兹海默 ...

Core Insights - A new study from MIT provides scientific evidence that lack of sleep can impair attention due to a physiological mechanism where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is involved in "cleaning" the brain during sleep, which is disrupted when sleep is insufficient [2][18] Group 1: Research Findings - The study reveals that during moments of attention lapses, a wave of cerebrospinal fluid flows out of the brain, a process typically occurring during sleep to clear waste accumulated during the day [2][18] - Insufficient sleep leads to the activation of this cleaning process during waking hours, resulting in significant attention deficits [18][21] - The research involved 26 healthy volunteers who underwent attention tests under both sufficient and insufficient sleep conditions, showing that sleep-deprived individuals had longer reaction times and sometimes failed to respond altogether [19][21] Group 2: Mechanism of Action - The study indicates that during deep sleep, a synchronized activity of neurons allows for a significant withdrawal of blood, creating space for cerebrospinal fluid to enter and cleanse the brain [15][26] - In contrast, when awake, the active state of neurons prevents this cleaning process, leading to a buildup of waste and forcing the brain to initiate a similar cleaning mechanism while awake, which detracts from attention resources [26][27] - The research suggests that there may be a central switch in the brain that regulates attention and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, potentially influenced by norepinephrine [29]

Core Viewpoint - The study conducted by researchers at the University of Rhode Island indicates that microplastics and nanoplastics, which are prevalent in the environment, can accumulate in the brain and potentially lead to cognitive decline and symptoms similar to Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals carrying genetic risk factors like the APOE4 gene [1][5]. Group 1: Research Findings - Microplastics can penetrate various human body systems, including the brain, and may cross the blood-brain barrier, which typically protects the brain from harmful substances [1][2]. - The study involved genetically modified mice carrying the APOE4 gene, which is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, showing that these mice are approximately 3.5 times more likely to develop the disease compared to those with the APOE3 gene variant [1][2]. - The research demonstrated that exposure to microplastics led to behavioral changes in mice, such as increased exploration in open areas and impaired recognition of new objects, indicating cognitive decline [3][4]. Group 2: Implications and Future Research - The findings raise concerns about the widespread exposure to microplastics as environmental toxins and highlight the need for further research into their health impacts [5]. - The study encourages stricter regulations on microplastics, with the U.S. House of Representatives proposing the Microplastics Safety Act to investigate the effects of microplastics on human health, particularly in vulnerable populations [5]. - The researcher emphasizes the necessity for increased funding and research on the health impacts of microplastics, noting that observed trends in mice align with real-world observations [5].