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Mind over microplastics — what we still don’t know

Nature Reviews Neurology 2025 1 citation ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Michael Aschner

Summary

Microplastics have been detected in human brain tissue for the first time, with higher concentrations found in individuals with dementia, though whether the particles cause neurological damage or simply accumulate more in affected brains remains unknown. The finding opens urgent questions about how microplastics cross the blood-brain barrier and what long-term exposure means for cognitive health.

Body Systems

Microplastics have been observed in human brain tissue for the first time, and higher levels were associated with dementia. However, important questions remain about the mechanisms of microplastic accumulation and clearance, the influence of environmental factors such as geographical location, and whether the association with dementia reflects cause or effect.

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