Toxic magnetite particles found in brain
could be linked to Alzheimer’s disease Orange County, CA - September 7th 2016 - Magnetite is a toxic, magnetic iron oxide compound that disrupts normal cellular function. While already known to be present in the brain, stemming from the iron naturally found in our bodies and from the foods we eat, evidence now suggests the particles are being caused by industrial air pollution. Lead author of the paper, Prof Barbara Maher, had previously identified magnetite particles in samples of air gathered beside a busy road. Knowing its prevalence in air pollution, she chose to further investigate whether all the magnetite found in brain was naturally occurring. It wasn’t. Particles that find their way into the brain are normally smooth, round, and have crystallites on their surfaces. These characteristics are attributed to the high temperatures of a vehicle engine or braking system.
could be linked to Alzheimer’s disease Orange County, CA - September 7th 2016 - Magnetite is a toxic, magnetic iron oxide compound that disrupts normal cellular function. While already known to be present in the brain, stemming from the iron naturally found in our bodies and from the foods we eat, evidence now suggests the particles are being caused by industrial air pollution. Lead author of the paper, Prof Barbara Maher, had previously identified magnetite particles in samples of air gathered beside a busy road. Knowing its prevalence in air pollution, she chose to further investigate whether all the magnetite found in brain was naturally occurring. It wasn’t. Particles that find their way into the brain are normally smooth, round, and have crystallites on their surfaces. These characteristics are attributed to the high temperatures of a vehicle engine or braking system.
Naturally occurring Magnetite particles have a similar appearance in size and shape, however have distinctively, peculiar jagged edges that allow recognition by researchers. It is believed that due to their small size that they are able to pass from the nose into the olfactory bulb and then into the frontal cortex of the brain via the nervous system.
"It's dreadfully shocking.” Maher said. “
When you study the tissue you see the particles distributed between the cells and when you do a magnetic extraction there are millions of particles, millions in a single gram of brain tissue - that's a million opportunities to do damage." Researchers from Lancaster University analyzed samples of brain tissue from a small sample of 37 people for magnetite. Of those samples, 29 came from people between the ages of 3 and 85 who lived inside the heavily polluted Mexico City. The remaining 8 individuals’ ages ranged from 62-92 with varying severities of neurodegenerative disease from Manchester. The research found that for every naturally occurring magnetite particle, there were at least 100 pollution-derived particles as well as traces of other metals, such as platinum. Tissue samples from those with neurodegenerative conditions contain higher particle levels due to the disease. However samples of even greater levels of magnetite were found in the samples from Mexico City. While there is no definitive connection between magnetite brain particles and Alzheimer’s yet, oxidative cell damage is a quality of Alzheimer’s disease and why its presence is, “
potentially significant,” as Maher says. There is enough evidence to suggest correlation beyond mere coincidence and should be further investigated as to how high of a risk it attributes in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
When you study the tissue you see the particles distributed between the cells and when you do a magnetic extraction there are millions of particles, millions in a single gram of brain tissue - that's a million opportunities to do damage." Researchers from Lancaster University analyzed samples of brain tissue from a small sample of 37 people for magnetite. Of those samples, 29 came from people between the ages of 3 and 85 who lived inside the heavily polluted Mexico City. The remaining 8 individuals’ ages ranged from 62-92 with varying severities of neurodegenerative disease from Manchester. The research found that for every naturally occurring magnetite particle, there were at least 100 pollution-derived particles as well as traces of other metals, such as platinum. Tissue samples from those with neurodegenerative conditions contain higher particle levels due to the disease. However samples of even greater levels of magnetite were found in the samples from Mexico City. While there is no definitive connection between magnetite brain particles and Alzheimer’s yet, oxidative cell damage is a quality of Alzheimer’s disease and why its presence is, “
potentially significant,” as Maher says. There is enough evidence to suggest correlation beyond mere coincidence and should be further investigated as to how high of a risk it attributes in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
