Chronic Traffic Noise Exposure Contributes to Emergence of Cognitive and Motor Functions Impairment and Increases Amyloid-β Deposition in Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Traffic noise has become a daily source of stress in the modern societies. living next to high traffic roads has shown to be associated with increased risk of developing dementia. We employed a combination of behavioral, biochemical, and histological techniques to investigate the impact of chronic traffic noise exposure on the development of the Alzheimer’s Disease. For that, 21 APPNL-G-F male and female mice (10 males and 11females) were randomly assigned to the traffic noise or control group. Animals were exposed to 8 hours/day of 75 dB for 30 days to model traffic noise, and the effect on corticosterone levels, animals’ behavior, and development amyloid-ß (Aβ) plaques were examined at 4 and 6months post-exposure. Noise-exposed animals displayed anxiety-like behavior impaired balance and motor coordination with reduced learning and memory and increased Aβ plaques. These results provide evidence that traffic noise can impact the brain and predispose mice AD development.