These findings suggest that ionizing radiation is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
Association of Radon Background and Total Background Ionizing Radiation with Alzheimer's Disease Deaths in U.S. States.
AI Summary
Key Findings
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure of the brain to ionizing radiation might promote the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: Analysis of AD death rates versus radon background radiation and total background radiation in U.S. states. METHODS: Total background, radon background, cosmic and terrestrial background radiation measurements are from Assessment of Variations in Radiation Exposure in the United States and Report No. 160 - Ionizing Radiation Exposure of the Population of the United States. 2013 AD death rates by U.S. state are from the Alzheimer's Association. RESULTS: Radon background ionizing radiation was significantly correlated with AD death rate in 50 states and the District of Columbia (r = 0.467, p = 0.001). Total background ionizing radiation was also significantly correlated with AD death rate in 50 states and the District of Columbia (r = 0.452, p = 0.001). Multivariate linear regression weighted by state population demonstrated that AD death rate was significantly correlated with radon background (β= 0.169, p
Affiliation
Steven Lehrer
External References
- PubMed ID:
- 28671130
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