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Are microplastics contributing to pollution-induced neurotoxicity? A pilot study with wild fish in a real scenario
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In this pilot study, researchers examined whether microplastics found in the brains of wild fish from a polluted estuary were linked to neurotoxic effects. Microplastics were detected in 5% of fish brain samples, and the study measured the activity of an enzyme associated with nerve function. While the small sample size limits conclusions, the research suggests that microplastics reaching the brain could potentially contribute to pollution-related neurotoxicity in aquatic life.
Pollution-induced neurotoxicity is of high concern. This pilot study investigated the potential relationship between the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the brain of 180 wild fish (, ) from a contaminated estuary and the activity of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. MPs were found in 9 samples (5% of the total), all of them from collected in the summer, which represents 45% of the samples of this species collected in that season (20). Seventeen MPs were recovered from brain samples, with sizes ranging from 8 to 96 μm. Polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid and one biopolymer (zein) were identified by Micro-Raman spectroscopy. Fish with MPs showed lower (p ≤ 0.05) AChE activity than those where MPs were not found. These findings point to the contribution of MPs to the neurotoxicity induced by long-term exposure to pollution, stressing the need of further studies on the topic to increase 'One Health' protection.
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This review examines the emerging evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can reach the brain in both aquatic animals and mammals, potentially causing neurotoxic effects. Researchers found that exposure to these particles induces oxidative stress, inhibits key enzymes involved in nerve signaling, and alters neurotransmitter levels, which may contribute to behavioral changes. The study highlights that systematic research comparing different particle types, sizes, and exposure conditions is urgently needed to understand the neurological risks.
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in three commercially important fish species from the North East Atlantic Ocean and found that 49% of the 150 fish analyzed contained microplastics. Fish with microplastics showed significantly higher levels of lipid damage in the brain, gills, and muscle, along with signs of neurotoxicity. Based on the microplastics found in edible fish muscle, the study estimates that human consumers may ingest hundreds of microplastic particles per year from fish consumption alone.
Neurological effects induced by micro- and nanoplastics in fish: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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This meta-analysis pooled data from 59 controlled studies and found that micro- and nanoplastics cause significant neurological effects in fish, including reduced brain antioxidant defenses and altered behavior. These findings are concerning because they suggest plastic pollution may disrupt nervous system function across species, and contaminated fish is a major part of the human diet.
Microplastics induce neurotoxicity in aquatic animals at environmentally realistic concentrations: A meta-analysis
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Meta-analysis of 35 studies demonstrated that microplastic exposure at environmentally realistic concentrations (median 0.1 mg/L) significantly decreased brain acetylcholinesterase levels by 16.2% in aquatic animals, confirming neurotoxic effects. The neurotoxicity was linked to particle size and exposure duration but was independent of animal species, polymer type, or concentration.
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Researchers reviewed evidence that micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic environments cross the blood-brain barrier, accumulate in neural tissues, and cause oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and disrupted neurotransmitter signaling, with downstream effects on locomotion, feeding, predator avoidance, and social behavior across multiple aquatic species.
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