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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Human Health Effects Nanoplastics Sign in to save

Nanoplastics trigger glial–neuronal collagen signaling miscommunication to exacerbate cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer s & Dementia 2026
Yizhou Zhong, Bingchi Fan, Xiaohong Yang, Xiaohong Yang, Y. Waterlily Huang, Boxuan Liang, Zhiming, Xiaohu Ren, Hongyi Xian, Hongyi Xian, Yunfeng Li, Yanhong Deng, Yu Feng, Yu Feng, Ruobing Bai, Xiyun Huang, Jianbo Xiao, Xiaoqing Chen, Hao Li, Hao Li, Shiyue Tang, Lichun Ma, Chen Yang, Chen Yang, Jianjun Liu, Xifei Yang, Xingfen Yang, Zhenlie Huang

Summary

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics worsen cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease mouse models by disrupting communication between glial cells and neurons through the collagen-integrin signaling pathway. The study showed that nanoplastics triggered astrocytes and microglia to produce excess collagen, driving neurotoxicity. A drug blocking collagen signaling rescued cognitive function in nanoplastic-exposed Alzheimer's mice, and the same collagen pathway was found to be upregulated in human Alzheimer's brains.

Body Systems
Nervous
Models
Mouse

MNPs act as environmental risk factors that worsen cognitive impairment in AD. PS-NPs trigger glial-neuronal communication via the collagen-integrin axis in AD. PS-NP-induced astrocyte- and microglia-derived collagen, driving neurotoxicity in AD. TC-I 15 blocked collagen signaling and rescued cognition in PS-NP-exposed AD mice. Collagen signaling was upregulated in human AD brains, confirming disease relevance.

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