Bio: Kenneth Vanbrabant is a researcher at Hasselt University (UHasselt), affiliated with the Environmental Biology research group within the Centre for Environmental Sciences. His work focuses on the impact of airborne particulate matters on neurobiological development, investigating the translocation of ultrafine particles to the brain and their potential role in cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases. In a 2024 study, he and his colleagues provided evidence that ambient air pollution particles can translocate to the human brain and accumulate in multiple regions involved in cognitive functioning. Through experimental models and human cohort studies, he aims to unravel the mechanisms underlying air pollution-induced neurological effects. His research contributes to a deeper understanding of environmental health risks, supporting evidence-based policies for air quality regulation.

Abstract: Air pollution, particularly ultrafine particles (UFPs), has been linked to adverse neurological outcomes, yet their impact on brain development remains poorly understood. This study investigated how prenatal and/or postnatal exposure to clean ultrafine carbonaceous particles (UFCPs) affects neurodevelopment and cognitive function in mice. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were exposed to UFCPs (438 ± 72 μg/m³, CMD: 49 ± 2 nm) or HEPA-filtered air. Offspring were assigned to four exposure groups: (i) sham, (ii) prenatal-only, (iii) postnatal-only, and (iv) combined pre- and postnatal exposure, with re-exposure in adulthood. Behavioural assessments revealed increased anxiety-like behaviour in postnatally exposed mice and impaired spatial memory after adult re-exposure. UFCP accumulation in microglia and other brain cells was confirmed via white light generation under femtosecond-pulsed illumination. Whole brain proteomic analysis identified differential expression of DDAH1 and ERBB4, proteins involved in neurodevelopmental function and synaptic plasticity. These findings indicate that early-life UFCP exposure has lasting consequences on brain function, potentially through synaptic mechanisms. This study highlights the need for further research into the long-term neurotoxic effects of air pollution and its implications for public health.