Dr Marta Crous-Bou participates in the Pint of Science 2019 festival

¿What is the effect of air pollution on the brain? This is the question that Dr Marta Crous-Bou, researcher of the Clinical Research, Biomarkers and Risk Factors Group of the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), answered on 20 May at the Bar Mediterrani in Blanes (Girona). The bar was crowded with people interested in science, as the presentation took place within the framework of Pint of Science 2019, a scientific festival held this week in bars all around the world.

Dr Crous-Bou’s presentation began with an interactive quiz which tested the attendee's previous knowledge on the matter and cleared up some initial doubts about Alzheimer's, the brain and pollution. Afterwards, the talk focused on the impact of air pollution, a growing problem in our cities, and on the structure of the brain and the cognitive performance. Among other points, the BBRC researcher spoke about how gases emitted by cars and industries can affect the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, as shown by recent studies.

The talk kicked off the Pint of Science 2019 in Blanes. The town is hosting the festival for the third consecutive year under the auspices of the Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes. Within the Pint of Science 2019, more than 400 cities from 24 different countries are hosting talks at bars in order to bring science closer to people.