Neurotoxicity of Plastics: Mechanistic Insights into the Progression of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Animal Models

The extensive buildup of plastics in the environment has sparked grave worries about how they can affect human health, especially the central nervous system. It has been discovered that a number of substances generated from plastic, including as phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), styrene, bisphenol A (BPA), and micro- or nanoplastics, either penetrate or impair the blood-brain barrier. Evidence from preclinical animal studies, particularly in rodents and zebrafish, indicates that these substances can trigger a cascade of harmful effects such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, mitochondrial dysfunction, endocrine disturbances, and epigenetic modifications. The onset and course of neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are also significantly influenced by these pathogenic mechanisms. Review compiles and critically analyses the existing animal research to explore how plastic-associated neurotoxicity may contribute to neurodegeneration. We also stress the importance of exposure levels and developmental timing, explore the wider implications of these findings to human health, and address present limitations in experimental models. To reduce the neurological dangers associated with plastic pollution, future research, public health initiatives, and regulatory frameworks must be guided by a better knowledge of these molecular processes.