Microplastics detected in human brain tissue, raising health concerns

A new study has revealed the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human brain tissue, challenging previous beliefs about the brain’s protective barriers.

Scientists have observed a significant rise in plastic particle concentrations over recent decades, sparking concerns about potential health risks and neurological effects.

Published in Nature Medicine, the study analysed 91 brain samples from individuals who passed away between 1997 and 2024. Researchers found a 50% surge in MNP levels between 2016 and 2024, with median concentrations rising from 3,345 micrograms per gram to 4,917 micrograms per gram. Neuroscientist Andrew West from Duke University described the findings as surprising, admitting he was skeptical until reviewing all the data.

Unlike the spherical plastic beads commonly studied in laboratories, the detected particles were mostly irregular, thin, and sharp fragments. Richard Thompson, a microplastic pollution expert at the University of Plymouth, noted that these plastics likely originate from widely used consumer products such as plastic bags and bottles. Polystyrene, commonly found in food packaging and medical applications, was detected in smaller amounts compared to polyethylene.

Researchers found elevated MNP concentrations in the brains of 12 individuals diagnosed with dementia, though a direct link between plastic accumulation and neurodegenerative diseases remains unconfirmed. Some scientists speculate that dementia-related neurological changes may make the brain more susceptible to plastic buildup.

Toxicologist Phoebe Stapleton from Rutgers University emphasised the need for further research to understand how these microplastics interact with the brain and the body’s response to them. “The next step is to determine what these particles are doing in the brain and how they may affect health,” she told Nature Medicine.