Study Highlights Presence of Microplastics in Brain Tissue

A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives by the University of New Mexico reveals alarming findings: human brain tissue contains more microplastics (MPs) than any other organ. This significant discovery underscores concerns about the potential link between microplastics and neurodegenerative diseases. The research, led by Matthew Campen, a toxicologist at the university, emphasizes the pressing need to address the escalating threat of plastic pollution and its impact on public health.

Campen’s team analyzed 91 brain samples and found that microplastics accumulate in the brain at concentrations 10 to 20 times higher than in the liver and kidneys. "It is pretty alarming," Campen noted, highlighting that the brain appears to be "one of the most plastic-polluted tissues yet sampled." Furthermore, the study revealed that brain samples from 2024 contained about 50% more microplastics than those from 2016, indicating a troubling increase in environmental contamination. This accumulation occurs because microplastics can cross the gut barrier and enter systemic circulation, leading to their buildup in critical tissues such as the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

The research also identifies a concerning link between microplastics and neurodegenerative diseases. Brain samples from individuals with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, showed up to 10 times higher microplastic concentrations compared to healthy samples. Microplastics are non-biodegradable and disrupt cellular waste disposal systems, leading to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, conditions associated with neurodegenerative diseases, highlights Cognitive Vitality. The persistent presence of microplastics and their associated toxins may exacerbate neuronal damage and cognitive decline, further linking them to Alzheimer's disease.

Microplastics, defined as plastic fragments smaller than 5mm, are ubiquitous in the environment. They have been detected in air, drinking water, food, and aquatic systems. In Mexico, microplastics have been found in seawater in the Sea of Cortez and Banderas Bay, stormwater in Tijuana, and drinking water in Mexico City. Despite growing research on their presence in soil, sediments, and organisms, regulatory measures remain insufficient. Environmental authorities and researchers are working to develop better analytical techniques and assess the ecological and health impacts of microplastics. However, progress is slow, and increased resources are needed to address this persistent contamination, as detailed in the study “A Systematic Review on the Current Situation of Emerging Pollutants in Mexico.”

Recent research published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials further highlights the extent of microplastic contamination. The study found microplastics in all 16 bone marrow samples examined and in the membranous lining of hip and knee joints in 45 patients in Beijing. Additionally, microplastics have been detected in human testicles, semen, placentas, and penile tissue, raising concerns about reproductive health.

As the United Nations progresses toward a global treaty to combat plastic pollution, researchers emphasize the need for immediate action. "There is nowhere left untouched," says Bethanie Carney Almroth, Ecotoxicologist, University of Gothenburg, highlighting the pervasive nature of microplastic contamination, reports the Guardian.