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Microplastic Neurotoxicity: Pathways, Mechanisms, and Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Shabnam Radbakhsh 1
Rezvan Norouzzadeh 2

1 Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

2 Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/pmj.2025.2058727.1060
Abstract
This review synthesizes and elaborates on current studies examining the neurotoxic effects of microplastics, emphasizing their mechanisms of entry into the central nervous system and their possible involvement in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. The pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment has heightened concerns about their accumulation in biological systems, particularly their capacity to traverse biological boundaries and engage with neuronal tissues. This article seeks to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing scientific literature on microplastic neuroinvasion, concentrating on the mechanisms through which these particles penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) specifically via transcellular, paracellular, or Trojan horse pathways—and their ensuing effects on neuronal homeostasis.

We investigate the physiological and molecular reactions triggered by microplastics, encompassing oxidative stress induction, mitochondrial failure, neuroinflammation, and synaptic disruption. These pathogenic processes may facilitate the onset and advancement of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, by intensifying amyloid-beta aggregation, tau phosphorylation, and neuroimmune activation. Additionally, we examine the burgeoning epidemiological and experimental evidence associating microplastic exposure with cognitive deterioration and neuronal impairment.

This review offers a thorough analysis of microplastic neurotoxicity by evaluating both in vitro and in vivo studies, with the objective of elucidating the potential neurological hazards associated with these environmental contaminants. We emphasize significant deficiencies in existing research and propose future avenues, encompassing enhanced detection techniques, public health initiatives, and efforts to reduce human exposure to microplastics.

Keywords

Microplastics
Neurodegenerative diseases
Alzheimer's disease
Nanoplastics
Neurotoxicity

Subjects

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Personalized and Precision Medicine Journal
Volume 10, Issue 37 - Serial Number 37
Original article
Spring 2025
Pages 31-38

  • Receive Date 30 January 2025
  • Revise Date 17 March 2025
  • Accept Date 27 May 2025

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