EC Neurology

Microplastics and nanoplastics are new environmental polluters that are hurting humans due to their effects on our human environment everywhere and the health of our world. Scientists are worried about the new particles because they could pass through your brain by passing through your blood. The presence of corrupted micro protein particles in the bloodstream is dangerous to the human brain. Studies have confirmed that these particles can corrupt neurotransmitter systems, cause cell damage, and stimulate inflammation, among other things. Because of their small size, plus surface reactivity they can just reach out and touch the stuff in your brain. Tests on animals have shown that exposing them to tiny plastic pieces can hurt them, while other tests exposed to limited plastic have harmed microscopic human cells. While research about human exposure to plastic remains limited, studies suggests it a risk factor to extensive damage in the brain. We have to start paying attention to where plastic exists all around the world because it is very harmful to the environment. Understanding the harms that toxic chemicals cause in our brains may aid public policy and the creation of less harmful materials.

 Keywords: Microplastics; Nanoplastics; Neurotoxicity; Blood-Brain Barrier; Neuroinflammation

1. Prüst M., et al. “The plastic brain: neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics”. Particle and Fibre Toxicology1 (2020): 24.
2. Shan S., et al. “Polystyrene nanoplastics penetrate across the blood-brain barrier and induce activation of microglia in the brain of mice”. Chemosphere 298 (2022): 134261.
3. Xie J., et al. “Blood-brain barrier damage accelerates the accumulation of micro-and nanoplastics in the human central nervous system”. Journal of Hazardous Materials 480 (2024): 136028.
4. Kopatz V., et al. “Micro-and nanoplastics breach the blood-brain barrier (BBB): Biomolecular corona’s role revealed”. Nanomaterials8 (2023): 1404.
5. Biswas S., et al. “The effects of (micro and Nano) plastics on the human body: nervous system, respiratory system, digestive system, placental barrier, skin, and excretory system”. In: Assessing the Effects of Emerging Plastics on the Environment and Public Health. IGI Global Scientific Publishing (2022): 148-171.
6. Riaz HH., et al. “Breathing in danger: mapping microplastic migration in the human respiratory system”. Physics of Fluids4 (2024).
7. Saha SC and Saha G. “Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways: A review with computational benefits and challenges”. Heliyon 2 (2024): e24355.
8. Alves D. “Are plastics within the air we breathe a threat to human health?” (2025).
9. Caputo F., et al. “Measuring particle size distribution and mass concentration of nanoplastics and microplastics: addressing some analytical challenges in the sub-micron size range”. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 588 (2021): 401-417.
10. Ivleva NP. “Chemical analysis of microplastics and nanoplastics: challenges, advanced methods, and perspectives”. Chemical Reviews19 (2021): 11886-11936.
11. Zhao K., et al. “Separation and characterization of microplastic and nanoplastic particles in marine environment”. Environmental Pollution 297 (2022): 118773.
12. Stock V., et al. “Microplastics and nanoplastics: size, surface and dispersant-what causes the effect?”. Toxicology In Vitro 80 (2022): 105314.
13. Pittura L., et al. “Microplastics and nanoplastics”. In: Marine Analytical Chemistry. Cham: Springer International Publishing (2022): 349-388.
14. Gigault J., et al. “Nanoplastics are neither microplastics nor engineered nanoparticles”. Nature Nanotechnology5 (2021): 501-507.
15. Zhao J., et al. “Detection and characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in biological samples”. Nature Reviews Bioengineering (2025).
16. Kefer S., et al. “Characterisation of different manufactured plastic microparticles and their comparison to environmental microplastics”. Powder Technology 412 (2022): 117960.
17. Allen D., et al. “Microplastics and nanoplastics in the marine-atmosphere environment”. Nature Reviews Earth and Environment6 (2022): 393-405.
18. Benson NU., et al. “Micro (nano) plastics prevalence, food web interactions, and toxicity assessment in aquatic organisms: a review”. Frontiers in Marine Science 9 (2022): 851281.
19. Larue C., et al. “A critical review on the impacts of nanoplastics and microplastics on aquatic and terrestrial photosynthetic organisms”. Small20 (2021): e2005834.
20. Yee MS., et al. “Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health”. Nanomaterials2 (2021): 496.
21. Baroni A., et al. “Nano-and microplastics in the brain: an emerging threat to neural health”. Nanomaterials17 (2025): 1361.
22. Savuca A., et al. “Current aspects on the plastic nano-and microparticles toxicity in zebrafish—focus on the correlation between oxidative stress responses and neurodevelopment”. Animals11 (2023): 1810.
23. Amato-Lourenço LF., et al. “Microplastics in the olfactory bulb of the human brain”. JAMA Network Open9 (2024): e2440018.
24. Campen M., et al. “Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains assessed by pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry” (2024).
25. Prosperi G., et al. “Inhalation of nanoplastics in the mouse model: Tissue bio-distribution and effects on the olfactory system”. Science of the Total Environment 968 (2025): 178853.
26. Ghatak S. “Elucidating the neurotoxicopathological impact of micro and nanoplastics: mechanistic insights into oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration and implications for public health in a plastic pervasive era”. Indian Journal of Health Care Medical and Pharmacy Practice1 (2025): 67-83.
27. Moiniafshari K., et al. “A perspective on the potential impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on the human central nervous system”. Environmental Science: Nano3 (2025): 1809-1820.
28. Sincihu Y., et al. “Wistar rats hippocampal neurons response to blood low-density polyethylene microplastics: a pathway analysis of SOD, CAT, MDA, 8-OHdG expression in hippocampal neurons and blood serum Aβ42 levels”. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 19 (2023): 73-83.
29. Tauffenberger A and Magistretti PJ. “Reactive oxygen species: beyond their reactive behavior”. Neurochemical Research1 (2021): 77-87.
30. Chen Y., et al. “Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure induces cognitive impairment in mice via induction of oxidative stress and ERK/MAPK-mediated neuronal cuproptosis”. Particle and Fibre Toxicology1 (2025): 13.
31. Zhao H., et al. “Inflammation and tumor progression: signaling pathways and targeted intervention”. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy1 (2021): 263.
32. Wautier JL and Wautier MP. “Pro- and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and cytokines in humans: a mini review”. International Journal of Molecular Sciences11 (2023): 9647.
33. Ma Q., et al. “Neurotoxicity of micro-and nanoplastics: a comprehensive review of central nervous system impacts”. Environment and Health (2025).
34. Sincihu Y., et al. “Wistar rats hippocampal neurons response to blood low-density polyethylene microplastics: A pathway analysis of SOD, CAT, MDA, 8-OHdG expression in hippocampal neurons and blood serum Aβ42 levels”. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 31 (2023): 73-83.
35. E Sofield C., et al. “Mind over microplastics: exploring microplastic-induced gut disruption and gut-brain-axis consequences”. Current Issues in Molecular Biology 5 (2024):4186-4202.
36. Chen H., et al. “Research progress in mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced by micro (nano) plastic exposure”. All Life1 (2025).
37. Zhao X., et al. “Defining the size ranges of polystyrene nanoplastics according to their ability to cross biological barriers”. Environmental Science: Nano10 (2023): 2634-2645.
38. Liu Q., et al. “Microplastics and nanoplastics: emerging contaminants in food”. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry36 (2021): 10450-10468.
39. Amobonye A., et al. “Environmental impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics: a current overview”. Frontiers in Microbiology 12 (2021): 768297.
40. Khanna R., et al. “Microplastics and nanoplastics as environmental contaminants of emerging concern: potential hazards for human health”. Sustainability19 (2024): 8704.
41. Yu Q., et al. “Exploring environmental nanoplastics research: Networks and evolutionary trends”. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology1 (2023): 12.
42. Maddela NR., et al. “Major contaminants of emerging concern in soils: a perspective on potential health risks”. RSC Advances20 (2022): 12396-12415.
43. Atugoda T., et al. “Nanoplastic occurrence, transformation and toxicity: a review”. Environmental Chemistry Letters1 (2023): 363-381.
44. Kim BE., et al. “Particulate matter causes skin barrier dysfunction”. JCI Insight5 (2021): e145185.
45. Mok ZH. “The effect of particle size on drug bioavailability in various parts of the body”. Pharmaceutical Science Advances 2 (2024): 100031.
46. Menichetti A., et al. “Penetration of microplastics and nanoparticles through skin: effects of size, shape, and surface chemistry”. Journal of Xenobiotics1 (2024): 6.
47. Martin L., et al. “Cellular response of keratinocytes to the entry and accumulation of nanoplastic particles”. Particle and Fibre Toxicology1 (2024): 22.
48. Simpson K. “Understanding nanoplastic particle intracellular accumulation and cell response in human skin cells” (2023).
49. Iversen IB., et al. “Associations of occupational styrene exposure with risk of encephalopathy and unspecified dementia: a long-term follow-up study of workers in the reinforced plastics industry”. American Journal of Epidemiology2 (2021): 288-294.
50. Molot J., et al. “Neurological susceptibility to environmental exposures: pathophysiological mechanisms in neurodegeneration and multiple chemical sensitivity”. Reviews on Environmental Health4 (2022): 509-530.
51. Lai H., et al. “Nanoplastics and human health: hazard identification and biointerface”. Nanomaterials 8 (2022): 1298.
52. Guerrera MC., et al. “Micro and nano plastics distribution in fish as model organisms: histopathology, blood response and bioaccumulation in different organs”. Applied Sciences13 (2021): 5768.
53. Deidda I., et al. “Neurotoxicity in marine invertebrates: an update”. Biology2 (2021): 161.
54. Yu H., et al. “Concurrent water-and foodborne exposure to microplastics leads to differential microplastic ingestion and neurotoxic effects in zebrafish”. Water Research 219 (2022): 118582.
55. Yu Y., et al. “Carboxyl-modified polystyrene microplastics induces neurotoxicity by affecting dopamine, glutamate, serotonin, and GABA neurotransmission in Caenorhabditis elegans”. Journal of Hazardous Materials 445 (2023): 130543.
56. Forutan G., et al. “Chronic exposure to microplastics induces blood-brain barrier impairment, oxidative stress, and neuronal damage in rats”. Molecular Neurobiology10 (2025): 13777-13785.
57. Li C., et al. “Inhibiting ferroptosis in brain microvascular endothelial cells: A potential strategy to mitigate polystyrene nanoplastics‒induced blood‒brain barrier dysfunction”. Environmental Research 250 (2024): 118506.
58. Radbakhsh S and Norouzzadeh R. “Microplastic neurotoxicity: pathways, mechanisms, and implications for neurodegenerative disease”. Personalized Medicine Journal37 (2025): 31-38.
59. Urani C., et al. “From the environment to molecular interactions of nanoplastics: unraveling the neurotoxic impacts and the implications in neurodegenerative processes”. Applied Sciences16 (2024): 7280.
60. Kuai Y., et al. “Long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces macrophages and affects the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mice”. Toxicology 509 (2024): 153951.
61. Shan S., et al. “Short-term PS-NP exposure in early adulthood induces neuronal damage in middle-aged mice via microglia-mediated neuroinflammation”. Journal of Hazardous Materials 489 (2025): 137615.