Air pollution:he cumulative environmental, social and political exposures a person encounters over a lifetime-as a key driver of age-related brain changes. Crucially, these factors do not act in isolation but interact to amplify their collective effect.

According to Oman News Agency, physical environmental factors-including air pollution, rising temperatures and limited access to green spaces-are linked to structural alterations in brain regions responsible for memory and emotional regulation, driven by biological mechanisms such as neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, the findings show. Social factors-poverty, inequality and weak support networks-directly affect cognitive and social brain functions, largely through chronic stress exposure. This stress-induced decline can, in some cases, outpace the impact of certain neurological diseases.

The effects are evident in both healthy individuals and those with existing neurological conditions, researchers emphasize. Focusing on individual behavioral changes alone is insufficient to curb brain aging risks; comprehensive public policies aimed at improving living environments are urgently needed. The report calls for integrated strategies to reduce pollution, expand green spaces, enhance water quality and advance social justice, alongside stronger collaboration among environmental, health and social sectors to foster long-term brain health.