Latest news with #MariaC.Carrillo
Korea Herald
19 hours ago
- Health
- Korea Herald
FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025: SNAP BENEFITS LINKED TO SLOWER COGNITIVE DECLINE, 10-YEAR STUDY FINDS
Key Takeaways TORONTO, July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- People who participated in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had slower cognitive decline over 10 years than those who didn't participate, according to new research being reported today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® 2025 (AAIC ®), in Toronto and online. The findings highlight the potential of food assistance programs to support cognitive health in the aging population and point to the need for additional efforts to reduce disparities in cognitive aging across different racial and ethnic groups, the researchers said. They also underscore the need for public health policies that ensure equitable access to programs like SNAP, which helps low-income individuals and families buy food, particularly for populations that may face additional barriers to enrollment. Using the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS), researchers compared participants in SNAP to those who were eligible for the program but didn't participate. They determined that SNAP participants had a 0.10% slower decline in overall cognitive function, or two to three additional years of cognitive health over the 10-year period. "Research has shown that food insecurity can negatively impact cognitive function, and this is one of the first long-term studies to show that food assistance programs can positively impact cognition," said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead. "Simple, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health and may even lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The Alzheimer's Association is committed to helping all people build these habits into their daily lives, including eating right, one of our 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain." Researchers analyzed a racially and ethnically representative group of people age 50 and older comparing 1,131 (average age ~63 years) who were enrolled in SNAP in 2010 to 1,216 who were eligible for SNAP but did not participate (average age ~66 years). Memory and executive function — the ability to plan and carry out tasks — were assessed every two years between 2010 and 2020 via telephone or web-based interviews. People with an initial cognition summary score indicating cognitive impairment or dementia (11 or less out of 27 points) were excluded from the analysis. While a 0.10-point difference in annual cognitive decline may seem small, the researchers note that its long-term impact is significant. "For someone starting at a healthy cognitive score, this slower decline could delay reaching the threshold for mild cognitive impairment by nearly a decade," said Linlin Da, MPH, lead author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate in health services research at the University of Georgia, Athens. "This suggests SNAP participation, or another similar nutrition support program, could significantly delay the onset of cognitive impairment or dementia, allowing people to preserve their ability to manage medications, finances and daily tasks longer," said Da. "This ultimately supports greater independence and higher quality of life in older adulthood." "At the same time, we discovered that this protective effect is not the same for everyone: non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic older adults did not benefit as much in cognitive functions compared to non-Hispanic white participants," Da added. Comparing the cognitive findings for White, Black and Hispanic SNAP participants in the study to their peers who didn't participate in SNAP, the researchers found all three groups benefitted, but observed much stronger benefits and slower decline for the White SNAP participants. "We hope health care providers will see that potentially delaying cognitive impairment is another reason to help their patients-in-need secure access to food assistance," said Suhang Song, Ph.D., corresponding author of the study and assistant professor in the department of health policy and management at the University of Georgia College of Public Health. About the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® (AAIC ®) The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community. AAIC 2025 home page: AAIC 2025 newsroom: AAIC 2025 hashtag: #AAIC25 About the Alzheimer's Association ® The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia ®. Visit or call 800.272.3900.
New York Post
a day ago
- Health
- New York Post
Using food stamps can help slow down brain decline as you age: study
The federally funded food stamp program is really delivering for brain health, a new study finds. Over 41 million people participated last year in the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps low-income families purchase nutritious food. We've long known that healthy foods — especially those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins — can support brain function, memory and cognitive performance. A nutritious diet can support brain function, protect against cognitive decline and potentially reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Kay Abrahams/ – Now, new research reports that older SNAP recipients have a better chance of staving off cognitive decline than their peers who do not partake in the program. 'Research has shown that food insecurity can negatively impact cognitive function, and this is one of the first long-term studies to show that food assistance programs can positively impact cognition,' said Maria C. Carrillo, chief science officer and medical affairs lead for the Alzheimer's Association. The study, out of the University of Georgia, tracked 1,100 people 50 and older who were enrolled in SNAP in 2010 and 1,200 older adults who were eligible for SNAP but did not participate. Researchers interviewed participants every two years between 2010 and 2020 to assess their memory and ability to plan and carry out tasks. Over 41 million people participated last year in the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps low-income families purchase nutritious food. They determined that SNAP participants had a 0.10% slower decline in overall cognitive function, affording them two to three additional years of good brain health in the 10-year study period. 'For someone starting at a healthy cognitive score, this slower decline could delay reaching the threshold for mild cognitive impairment by nearly a decade,' said Linlin Da, lead study author and a Ph.D. candidate in health services research at UGA. People with mild cognitive impairment face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia, a decline in memory, thinking, language, judgment and behavior that is so severe that it interferes with daily life. While all SNAP participants seemed to benefit brain-wise, Da's team noticed that white SNAP recipients exhibited even slower cognitive decline than black and Hispanic participants. The researchers are calling for further exploration into the racial and ethnic disparities in the relationship between SNAP and cognitive health. Their findings were presented Wednesday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. The study results come weeks after President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' introduced steep cuts to SNAP, making it harder for people to qualify and decreasing benefits for eligible recipients. SNAP participants averaged about $187 in monthly benefits before the legislation was approved. The program — which dates back to 1939, during the Great Depression — cost about $100 billion in federal funding last year.
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025: SNAP BENEFITS LINKED TO SLOWER COGNITIVE DECLINE, 10-YEAR STUDY FINDS
Key Takeaways Participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may help protect against age-related cognitive decline, suggests an analysis of a national study. Compared to non-participants, SNAP participants had a slower decline in cognitive function during the 10-year study period, effectively maintaining an average of two to three additional years of cognitive health. Food insecurity can negatively impact cognitive function, and participating in SNAP may improve participants' diets and nutrition intake. TORONTO, July 30, 2025 /CNW/ -- People who participated in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had slower cognitive decline over 10 years than those who didn't participate, according to new research being reported today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® 2025 (AAIC ®), in Toronto and online. The findings highlight the potential of food assistance programs to support cognitive health in the aging population and point to the need for additional efforts to reduce disparities in cognitive aging across different racial and ethnic groups, the researchers said. They also underscore the need for public health policies that ensure equitable access to programs like SNAP, which helps low-income individuals and families buy food, particularly for populations that may face additional barriers to enrollment. Using the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS), researchers compared participants in SNAP to those who were eligible for the program but didn't participate. They determined that SNAP participants had a 0.10% slower decline in overall cognitive function, or two to three additional years of cognitive health over the 10-year period. "Research has shown that food insecurity can negatively impact cognitive function, and this is one of the first long-term studies to show that food assistance programs can positively impact cognition," said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead. "Simple, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health and may even lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The Alzheimer's Association is committed to helping all people build these habits into their daily lives, including eating right, one of our 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain." Researchers analyzed a racially and ethnically representative group of people age 50 and older comparing 1,131 (average age ~63 years) who were enrolled in SNAP in 2010 to 1,216 who were eligible for SNAP but did not participate (average age ~66 years). Memory and executive function — the ability to plan and carry out tasks — were assessed every two years between 2010 and 2020 via telephone or web-based interviews. People with an initial cognition summary score indicating cognitive impairment or dementia (11 or less out of 27 points) were excluded from the analysis. While a 0.10-point difference in annual cognitive decline may seem small, the researchers note that its long-term impact is significant. "For someone starting at a healthy cognitive score, this slower decline could delay reaching the threshold for mild cognitive impairment by nearly a decade," said Linlin Da, MPH, lead author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate in health services research at the University of Georgia, Athens. "This suggests SNAP participation, or another similar nutrition support program, could significantly delay the onset of cognitive impairment or dementia, allowing people to preserve their ability to manage medications, finances and daily tasks longer," said Da. "This ultimately supports greater independence and higher quality of life in older adulthood." "At the same time, we discovered that this protective effect is not the same for everyone: non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic older adults did not benefit as much in cognitive functions compared to non-Hispanic white participants," Da added. Comparing the cognitive findings for White, Black and Hispanic SNAP participants in the study to their peers who didn't participate in SNAP, the researchers found all three groups benefitted, but observed much stronger benefits and slower decline for the White SNAP participants. "We hope health care providers will see that potentially delaying cognitive impairment is another reason to help their patients-in-need secure access to food assistance," said Suhang Song, Ph.D., corresponding author of the study and assistant professor in the department of health policy and management at the University of Georgia College of Public Health. About the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® (AAIC ®) The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community. AAIC 2025 home page: AAIC 2025 newsroom: AAIC 2025 hashtag: #AAIC25 About the Alzheimer's Association ® The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia ®. Visit or call 800.272.3900. Linlin Da, MPH, et al. The association between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation and cognitive decline by racial/ethnic groups: a 10-year longitudinal study. (Funding: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health UL1TR002378)
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025: ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION RELEASES ITS FIRST CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE FOR BLOOD-BASED BIOMARKER TESTS
Key Takeaways At AAIC 2025, the Alzheimer's Association released the first in a series of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and care of Alzheimer's and all other dementia. The guideline focuses on the use of blood-based biomarker tests by specialists to assess levels of Alzheimer's disease pathology in people with cognitive impairment. The Alzheimer's Association provides evidence-based resources to help clinicians identify the disease early and ensure patients receive the right treatment as quickly as possible. These and other planned guidelines are part of ALZPro ™, the Alzheimer's Association's centralized hub for resources, support and information for dementia professionals. TORONTO, July 29, 2025 /CNW/ -- In a landmark step toward transforming Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in specialty care, the Alzheimer's Association today released its first clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the use of blood-based biomarker (BBM) tests. The guideline is being reported at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® 2025 (AAIC ®) in Toronto and online, and published in Alzheimer's & Dementia®: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. The CPG provides clear evidence-based, brand-agnostic recommendations to support more accurate and accessible diagnosis of Alzheimer's using blood-based biomarker tests. The recommendations are linked to a systematic review using a robust and transparent methodology, and will be updated regularly as evidence evolves. "This is a pivotal moment in Alzheimer's care," said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead, and a co-author of the guideline. "For the first time, we have a rigorously evidence-based guideline that empowers clinicians to use blood biomarker tests confidently and consistently. Adoption of these recommendations will lead to quicker, more accessible, more accurate diagnoses — and better outcomes for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's." The recommendations in the new CPG — both of which apply only to patients with cognitive impairment being seen in specialized care for memory disorders — are: BBM tests with ≥90% sensitivity and ≥75% specificity can be used as a triaging test, in which a negative result rules out Alzheimer's pathology with high probability. A positive result should also be confirmed with another method, such as a cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) test. BBM tests with ≥90% for both sensitivity and specificity can serve as a substitute for PET amyloid imaging or CSF Alzheimer's biomarker testing. The guideline cautions that there is significant variability in diagnostic test accuracy and many commercially available BBM tests do not meet these thresholds. "Not all BBM tests have been validated to the same standard or tested broadly across patient populations and clinical settings, yet patients and clinicians may assume these tests are interchangeable," said Rebecca M. Edelmayer, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association vice president of scientific engagement and a co-author of the guideline. "This guideline helps clinicians apply these tools responsibly, avoid overuse or inappropriate use, and ensure that patients have access to the latest scientific advancements." Compared to standard-of-care PET imaging and CSF tests, blood-based biomarkers are typically less costly, more accessible and more acceptable to patients. The guideline emphasizes that BBM tests do not substitute for a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a health care professional, and should be ordered and interpreted by a health care professional in the context of clinical care. This is the first evidence-based guideline using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology in the Alzheimer's space. The use of GRADE ensures a transparent, structured and evidence-based process for evaluating the certainty of evidence and formulating recommendations. This strengthens the credibility and reproducibility of the guideline and allows for explicit linkage between evidence and recommendations. This guideline's primary audience includes specialists involved in the diagnostic evaluation of cognitive impairment in specialized care settings. A specialist is defined as a health care provider, typically in neurology, psychiatry or geriatrics, who cares for adults with cognitive impairment or dementia. It also applies to primary care providers, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in specialized care settings. A panel of 11 clinicians convened by the Alzheimer's Association — including clinical neurologists, geriatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and subject-matter experts — conducted a systematic review and formulated evidence-based recommendations for using blood-based biomarkers in individuals with objective cognitive impairment, including those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Final recommendations were informed by public comments and input from the Association's National Early-Stage Advisory Group, which includes people living with early-stage Alzheimer's. For this initial iteration of the guideline, the BBMs included plasma phosphorylated-tau (p-tau) and amyloid-beta (Aβ) tests measuring the following analytes: p-tau217, ratio of p-tau217 to non-p-tau217 ×100 (%p-tau217), p-tau181, p-tau231, and ratio of Aβ42 to Aβ40. The various BBM tests measure abnormal forms of either amyloid beta or tau protein, the two biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease. Forty-nine (49) observational studies were reviewed and 31 BBM tests were evaluated. The panel determined that endorsing specific tests was premature, opting for a brand-agnostic, performance-based approach that blinded panel members to the tests they were evaluating to minimize bias. This ensures the guideline's credibility, durability and actionability. According to the panel: "Ranking or endorsing specific tests is premature at this time. Instead, test accuracy data and accuracy judgments reported in this guideline are meant to serve as a resource for clinicians … to aid them in choosing which test(s) to order." The panel formulated two recommendations and one Good Practice Statement for the use of BBM tests in the diagnostic workup of patients with objective cognitive impairment being seen in specialized care. Recommendation 1 — In patients with objective cognitive impairment presenting for specialized memory-care, the panel suggests using a high-sensitivity BBM test as a triaging test in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer's disease. Recommendation 2 — In patients with objective cognitive impairment presenting for specialized memory care, the panel suggests using a high-sensitivity and high-specificity BBM test as a confirmatory test in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer's disease. Good Practice Statement — A BBM test should not be obtained before a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a health care professional, and test results should always be interpreted within the clinical context. The panel urges clinicians to consider the pre-test probability of Alzheimer's disease pathology for each patient when deciding whether or not to use a BBM test. This CPG is part of ALZPro ™, the Alzheimer's Association's comprehensive hub of resources to promote best practices, empowering health professionals across disciplines to reduce risk, advance early detection, improve care and expand equitable access for all communities. ALZPro unites care resources, relevant scientific findings, clinical guidelines and insights, continuing education and implementation tools on one platform. Upcoming clinical practice guidelines will address cognitive assessment tools (Fall 2025), clinical implementation of staging criteria and treatment (2026) and prevention of Alzheimer's and other dementias (2027). This clinical practice guideline was convened and funded by the Alzheimer's Association, but the Association was not involved in formulating the clinical questions or recommendations. About the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® (AAIC ®) The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community. AAIC 2025 home page: AAIC 2025 newsroom: AAIC 2025 hashtag: #AAIC25 About the Alzheimer's Association ® The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia ®. Visit or call 800.272.3900. Session: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Detection and Diagnosis of Cognitive Impairment using Blood-based Biomarkers and Cognitive Testing: Two Guideline Initiatives from the Alzheimer's Association Proposal ID: 108894 Oral Presentation: Tuesday, July 29, 2025: 2:00 P.M.-3:30 P.M. EDT (3-21-DEV) Clinical practice guideline for blood-based biomarkers in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer's disease within specialized care settings: A report from the Alzheimer's Association Background: In recent years, blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) have transformed the diagnostic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with some now approaching readiness for clinical implementation. This progress aligns with the growing importance of accurate early diagnostics and availability of anti-Aβ therapies for the treatment of early symptomatic AD, reinforcing the need for more rapid and early diagnostic capabilities. To address this need, the Alzheimer's Association convened a multidisciplinary panel of clinical experts, subject-matter specialists, and guideline methodologists to conduct a systematic review and develop evidence-based recommendations for the use of BBMs in the diagnostic evaluation of AD. The scope of this guideline is focused on individuals with cognitive impairment - either MCI or dementia - who are undergoing diagnostic assessment in secondary or tertiary care settings. Method: The panel conducted a systematic review to assess BBMs' diagnostic test accuracy in detecting amyloid pathology for triaging (≥90% sensitivity, ≥75% specificity) and confirmatory (≥90% sensitivity and specificity) diagnostic workup. The BBMs of interest included plasma p-tau and Aβ tests measuring the following analytes: p-tau217, %p-tau217, p-tau181, p-tau231, and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. The reference standard tests included CSF, amyloid PET, or neuropathology examination. The panel applied the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence and the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision Framework to develop its recommendations. Result: Across 49 observational studies meeting eligibility criteria, 31 different BBM tests were evaluated. Using predefined decision thresholds, the panel determined whether each test has 1) sufficient diagnostic test accuracy to be used as a triaging test where a positive test is to be confirmed by PET or CSF, 2) sufficient diagnostic test accuracy as a confirmatory test to replace PET or CSF, or 3) insufficient diagnostic test accuracy to recommend current use in clinical practice. Recommendations will be provided in case any BBMs met a priori DTA thresholds. Conclusion: BBMs can improve early AD diagnosis and expand access to disease-modifying therapies. Evidence-based guidelines are key to standardizing their use and will be updated as new evidence and applications emerge. SOURCE Alzheimer's Association
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Grow up in the ‘60s or ‘70s? This ‘dangerously high' exposure may have put your brain at risk
Prepare to fume. Leaded gasoline was widely used as car fuel in the US from the 1920s until the 1970s — it was phased out because it was found to be harmful to the environment and human health. It's taken decades for the extent of lead's toxicity to be fully understood. A new study adds to the grim news — if you lived in an area with high levels of atmospheric lead between 1960 and 1974, when leaded gas was at its peak, you're 20% more likely to suffer memory problems later in life. 4 This photo shows cars lining up at a California gas station on Sep. 21, 1973, during peak use of leaded fuel. AP 'Research suggests half the US population — more than 170 million people — were exposed to high lead levels in early childhood,' said Maria C. Carrillo, the Alzheimer's Association's chief science officer and medical affairs lead. 'This research sheds more light on the toxicity of lead related to brain health in older adults today.' Lead was initially added to gas in the early 1920s to improve engine performance and prevent a knocking or rattling sound that occurs when fuel burns unevenly in the engine's cylinders. It was eventually deemed dangerous to the maturing brains and nervous systems of young children, who experienced developmental, learning and behavioral difficulties. 4 Leaded gas was slowly phased out in the US for on-road vehicles before being banned in 1996. This photo is of an NYC gas station circa 1980. Getty Images Adults faced neurological and reproductive issues, and soil and water contamination persisted. The sale of leaded fuel for on-road vehicles was gradually reduced in the US over two decades, with a full ban taking effect in 1996. For the new study, University of Toronto researchers mapped historic atmospheric lead levels in the US. They compared this data to the memory difficulties that more than 600,000 residents 65 and over described from 2012 to 2021. Residents were only included in the analysis if they lived in their birth state. The study authors calculated that 17% to 22% of people in places with moderate, high or extremely high atmospheric lead levels reported memory problems. 'When I was a child in 1976, our blood carried 15 times more lead than children's blood today,' said Esme Fuller-Thomson, senior author of the study and director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging at the University of Toronto. 'An astonishing 88% of us had levels higher than 10 micrograms per deciliter, which are now considered dangerously high.' 4 A new study suggests that if you lived in an area with high levels of atmospheric lead between 1960 and 1974, when leaded gas was at its peak, you're 20% more likely to suffer memory problems later in life. wirojsid – The researchers — who are presenting their work this week at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto — recommend that those concerned about decades-old lead exposure focus on reducing other dementia risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking and loneliness. Over 6 million Americans have dementia, which gradually destroys memory, concentration and judgment skills. It's responsible for more than 100,000 deaths each year. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to measure long-term lead exposure. Lead levels in the blood primarily reflect recent or ongoing exposure. Lead is stored in the bones for significantly longer than in the blood — but that marker presents challenges. 'Some research studies have measured lead in the bone,' Dr. Eric Brown, lead study author, told The Post. 'This is done by using a technology called K-X-ray fluorescence, however, it is not available to the general public and is primarily a research tool, not a clinical tool.' What's more, leaded gas is still used in some aircraft and race cars — and lead pipes and paint remain a significant public health concern in many areas. 4 This photo from June 2020 shows lead paint chipping off a wall in Clifton, NJ. Christopher Sadowski A separate study shared at AAIC revealed that lead exposure — even at low levels — can contribute to the accumulation of abnormal tau and amyloid beta, proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease, in brain cells. And finally, another AAIC study found that older adults living about 3 miles from a lead-releasing facility — such as glass, ready-mixed concrete or computer and electronics manufacturers — face greater odds of memory and thinking problems than those living farther away. 'Our results indicate that lead exposure in adulthood could contribute to worse cognitive performance within a few years,' said Kathryn Conlon, senior study author and an associate professor of environmental epidemiology at UC Davis. 'Despite tremendous progress on lead abatement,' she added, 'studies have shown there is no safe level of exposure, and half of US children have detectable levels of lead in their blood.'
