Living near noisy traffic could increase Parkinson’s risk, study finds

Living near noisy traffic could increase Parkinson's disease risk Poinews.com – Living near noisy traffic could increase the likelihood of developing

Living near noisy traffic could increase Parkinson’s disease risk

Poinews.com – Living near noisy traffic could increase the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a comprehensive new study examining long-term exposure to road traffic noise. Researchers discovered that persistent noise in residential areas may contribute to a higher risk of this neurodegenerative disorder, potentially through mechanisms involving sleep disruption and systemic stress responses. Danish scientists analysed data from over three million residents to determine if continuous noise exposure in different residential locations and positions increases the vulnerability to Parkinson’s disease. The research, published in the prestigious journal JAMA Neurology, examined more than three million Danish citizens between 2000 and 2017 who were at least 40 years old and had no history of Parkinson’s disease when the study began.

Noise levels and disease correlation

The findings revealed that for every increase of approximately 11 decibels (dB) in noise on the most exposed side of a home, the risk of Parkinson’s disease increased by about 3%, the researchers found. On the quiet side of the home, which represents the area least exposed to traffic, the Parkinson’s disease risk rose by 4% for every additional 9 dB of noise. At the same time, the study discovered that a quiet side — where one side of the house is at least 10 dB quieter than the other — acts as a protective buffer which can mitigate these harmful effects, particularly for those living with higher overall noise levels.

People without a quiet side face a more persistent and unavoidable level of noise, especially during nighttime hours, which the authors noted is more harmful to health. The study’s authors added that previous studies only looking at the loudest side of a house might underestimate the health risks, because they fail to account for whether residents have a quiet place to retreat to. The results were consistent regardless of sex, education, income, cohabiting status and population density, strengthening the reliability of the findings.

“Therefore, identifying potentially modifiable environmental factors is a public health priority,” said Fernando Alonso Frech, neurologist and researcher at the HM CINAC Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, who did not participate in the study.

The authors suggest that these findings are biologically plausible because chronic noise can disrupt sleep, which is vital for brain health, and can also trigger a stress response in the body. It can also cause “neuroinflammation” and oxidative stress in the brain, specifically in areas related to dopamine production. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, affecting over 11 million people according to recent research, a burden expected to more than double in the coming decades as people live longer and some countries experience population growth.

In Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells in the brain called neurons slowly break down or die. Many symptoms are caused by a loss of dopamine-producing neurons, resulting in irregular brain activity. The exact cause of the condition is unknown, and there is currently no cure available for patients.

He added that the large proportion of the population exposed to traffic noise means its potential impact on public health could be considerable. “In this context, the findings reinforce the importance of policies aimed at reducing urban noise pollution, through strategies such as urban planning, the creation of noise barriers, reducing traffic in residential areas, or designing housing with façades and resting spaces that are less exposed to noise.” These recommendations highlight how Living near noisy traffic could have broader implications for community health and urban development strategies moving forward.