Recent studies have increasingly linked excessive artificial light at night—commonly known as light pollution—to a significantly higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. A 2023 study published in JAMA Neurology found that older adults living in areas with high levels of nighttime light exposure had a notably greater likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those in darker environments. Researchers attribute this association primarily to the disruption of circadian rhythms (the body’s internal clock) caused by light pollution. Bright nighttime light suppresses melatonin production, a hormone not only essential for regulating sleep but also possessing antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Chronic circadian disruption may promote neuroinflammation and increase the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques—key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s—thereby accelerating cognitive decline. Poor sleep quality, another consequence of light exposure at night, is also a well-established risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Simple interventions—such as minimizing unnecessary outdoor lighting, using blackout curtains, and avoiding blue-light-emitting screens before bedtime—may help reduce this risk. Experts urge urban planners to adopt ‘dark-sky-friendly’ lighting designs that balance public safety with neurological health, especially for aging populations.
近年来，多项研究指出，夜间过度的人造光照（即光污染）可能与阿尔兹海默症等神经退行性疾病的风险增加密切相关。2023年一项发表于《美国医学会神经病学杂志》的研究发现，在高光污染地区居住的老年人，其罹患阿尔兹海默症的概率显著高于生活在较暗环境中的同龄人。科学家认为，这主要与光污染干扰人体昼夜节律（生物钟）有关。夜间强光会抑制褪黑激素的分泌，而褪黑激素不仅调节睡眠，还具有抗氧化和神经保护作用。长期节律紊乱可能导致神经炎症、β-淀粉样蛋白沉积增加，进而加速认知功能衰退。此外，睡眠质量下降也被证实是阿尔兹海默症的重要风险因素。因此，减少夜间不必要的照明、使用遮光窗帘、避免睡前接触蓝光设备等措施，或有助于降低患病风险。专家呼吁城市规划者在设计照明系统时兼顾公共健康，推广‘暗夜友好’型照明策略，以保护居民特别是老年人的大脑健康。
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