Air pollutants have shown to cause a vast amount of adverse health effects. For instance, neurological diseases, namely Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has shown to be associated with living near traffic. Although air pollution and brain disease are linked, the effects of extremely fine particles on brain function have been insufficiently assessed.

To fill this gap of knowledge, TUBE aims to discover the harmful components of air pollution and identify biomarkers for early detection of brain disease related to air pollution. With 17 partners on board, TUBE applies interdisciplinary approach and state of the art research methodologies to study the adverse effects of extremely fine particles (UFP’s) in the human lung and brain.

This could potentially reduce the prevalence of brain diseases, provide significant economical savings, and provide data used to support planning future traffic policy across the EU.

Air pollutants have shown to cause a vast amount of adverse health effects. In recent years, neurological diseases, namely Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been associated with living near traffic. Although air pollution and brain disease are linked, the effects of extremely fine particles on brain function have been insufficiently assessed. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the connection between brain health and air pollution remain completely unknown. While the association of air pollutants with cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as AD has been discussed, very little is known about the effects of extremely fine particles, as well as of (S)VOCs from combustion engines. There is an urgent need to understand the interplay of pollutants with adverse effects in the brain, to steer political decision making for efficient reduction of air pollutants.

Leaning on an interdisciplinary approach and state of the art research methodologies, TUBE will aim to discover the harmful components of air pollution and identify biomarkers for early detection of brain disease related to air pollution. This could reduce the prevalence of brain diseases, provide significant economical savings, and provide data used to support planning future traffic policy across the EU.