LIVING close to a major road may increase the chances of dementia, according to a new study.
The results from the Canadian study, published earlier this month in The Lancet, shows dementia is more common in people who live within 50 metres of a main road than those who live further away.
Researchers tracked all adults between 20 and 85 living in Ontario - approximately 6.6 million people - from 2001 to 2012.
They used postcodes to determine the proximity to a major road and analysed medical records for the development of dementia, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
The dementia risk was seven per cent higher for those living within 50 metres of a major road, four per cent higher at 50 - 100 metres, two per cent higher at 101 - 200 metres and no increase for more than 200 metres away.
No link was found between living near a major road and Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
"Despite the growing impact of these diseases, little is known about their causes and prevention," said lead author Hong Chen, from Public Health Ontario.
"Our study suggests that busy roads could be a source of environmental stressors that could give rise to the onset of dementia."
Dr Chen said more research was needed to understand the link.
The study was conducted by scientists from several organisations including Public Health Ontario, the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, University of Toronto, Carleton University, Dalhousie University, Oregon State University and Health Canada.
