Oliver Brian G, Wang Qi, Yarak Rochelle A, Hikasem Tharathip, Gorrie Catherine A, Yi Chenju, Chen Hui
School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
Respiratory Cellular and Molecular Biology, Macquarie University, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2037, Australia.
Brain Behav Immun Health. 2025 Sep 15;49:101102. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2025.101102. eCollection 2025 Nov.
Memory function is critically essential across all life stages, yet it is increasingly compromised by exposure to airborne pollutants due to human behaviours. This review examines the adverse impacts of tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapour on memory function, emphasising the risks to younger populations. Both pollutants are potent oxidants that induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the brain, leading to synaptic injury and neuronal apoptosis. These processes compromise neuronal integrity and function, potentially resulting in early-onset dementia. Additionally, third-hand exposure to tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapour, through re-exposure to toxic chemicals on surfaces or clothing, poses significant risks, especially to toddlers. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modification, further exacerbate these effects by altering gene expression critical for brain development and function. This review highlights the necessity for further research to develop risk-reduction strategies to protect cognitive health from these pollutants.
记忆功能在生命的各个阶段都至关重要，但由于人类行为导致接触空气传播污染物，记忆功能正日益受到损害。本综述探讨了烟草烟雾和电子烟蒸气对记忆功能的不利影响，强调了对年轻人群体的风险。这两种污染物都是强效氧化剂，会在大脑中引发氧化应激和炎症反应，导致突触损伤和神经元凋亡。这些过程损害了神经元的完整性和功能，可能导致早发性痴呆。此外，通过再次接触表面或衣物上的有毒化学物质而产生的烟草烟雾和电子烟蒸气的三手暴露，也带来了重大风险，尤其是对幼儿。包括DNA甲基化和组蛋白修饰在内的表观遗传机制，通过改变对大脑发育和功能至关重要的基因表达，进一步加剧了这些影响。本综述强调有必要进行进一步研究，以制定降低风险的策略，保护认知健康免受这些污染物的侵害。
