Novel exposure estimation for assessing the effects of long-term exposure to pollutants on cognitive decline and dementia.

We aim to assess the effects of air pollution exposure on cognitive change and dementia over time. A longitudinal cohort methodology will incorporate one or more existing cohorts for analysis. Air pollution exposure will be assessed for each individual participant using the advanced deterministic modelling methods developed here at King's. In order to estimate air pollution exposure effectively, participant residential information will be required. Access to such data is obtainable but will take careful planning and a stringent strategy in order to acquire. We also hope to incorporate time-activity patterns for the first time in a study of this kind via the London Hybrid Exposure Model (LHEM) also developed at King's. The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), which implements a consistent battery of cognitive tests at regular follow-ups, will provide us with the opportunity to measure cognitive change at the individual level, whilst also allowing us to assess such changes in light of the risk factors associated with the development of dementia.