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Neurotoxic Effects of Nanoplastics: Current Evidence and Mechanistic Insights
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Researchers reviewed how nanoplastic particles cross biological barriers to reach the nervous system, identifying oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, ferroptosis, autophagy dysregulation, and gut-brain axis disruption as the key mechanisms driving their neurotoxic effects.
Plastic products are extensively utilized in various industrial goods and consumer items. However, when these plastics fail to undergo complete degradation, they generate nanoplastic particles (NPs). As emerging environmental pollutants, such nanoplastics are highly likely to have widespread and adverse impacts on human health. Accumulating evidence indicates that NPs can penetrate biological barriers and exert toxic effects on multiple organs, including the nervous system. Although extensive studies have investigated the toxicity of NPs, the mechanisms underlying their long-term neurotoxic effects remain poorly understood. Here, we summarize the current understanding on the exposure pathways of NPs, their neurotoxic effects, and the molecular mechanisms involved in neurotoxicity. Emerging evidence suggests that NPs induce neurological damage through various mechanisms, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, ferroptosis, autophagy dysregulation, and gut–brain axis imbalance. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms will provide new insights into the potential impacts of environmental NPs exposure on the nervous system and contribute to more accurate health risk assessments.
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This review examines evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause neurotoxicity through oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and disruption of neurotransmitter signaling. While clinical studies have confirmed the presence of plastic particles in human brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid, the authors note that methodological limitations and inconsistent quality controls currently prevent establishing a definitive causal link to neurological conditions.
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This review examines the growing body of evidence on how nanoplastics may affect the nervous system. Researchers summarized findings showing that nanoplastics can cross biological barriers, accumulate in brain tissue, and trigger oxidative stress and inflammation in nerve cells. The evidence indicates that nanoplastic exposure may contribute to neurotoxic effects, though more research is needed to fully understand the risks to human brain health.
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