A new study has revealed that those who live close to busy streets and roadways could be at risk of dementia. The study suggested that increased traffic on busy roads could be a contribute to chances of developing dementia in the elderly.

According to the BBC, as many as 11 percent of the participants were dementia patients and lived within 50 meters of a busy road. Scientists traced the histories of more than two million people living in Ontario, Canada over a time frame of 11 years.

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The study published in the Lancet journal revealed that noisy vehicles and pollution contributed to a decline in brain activity. 

Prof Tom Dening from the Centre for Dementia at the University of Nottingham told the BBC that the findings are provocative. Dening noted that it is plausible that fumes from vehicle engines could contribute to a decline in brain activity and eventually lead to dementia.

More than 50 million people around the globe reportedly suffer from dementia. However, the causes of the brain's decline that leads to dementia remain unknown.

The scientific journal, which published the findings, revealed that more than 200,000 cases of patients with dementia were diagnosed during the research period, the Telegraph reported. Furthermore, it was found that the closer individuals lived to congested roads, the greater their risk of developing the condition.

Also, the study discovered that the risk of developing dementia was seven percent higher for those living 50 meters from a busy road. The risk was two percent more for those that lived 100 -200 meters away from a road. Furthermore, the scientists behind the report identified urbanization and congestion as the main reasons why individuals dwell close to busy roads.

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