Papers

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Article Tier 2

Neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics with different particle sizes at environment-related concentrations on early zebrafish embryos

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes at concentrations found in the environment and observed significant brain damage. The nanoplastics caused loss of neurons, shortened nerve fibers, and disrupted brain signaling systems that control behavior. Smaller nanoplastics caused the most severe damage because they could pass through protective barriers more easily, suggesting that the tiniest plastic particles pose the greatest risk to brain development.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Molecular effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human neural stem cells

Researchers exposed human brain stem cells to tiny polystyrene nanoplastics and found they caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and cell death. These findings suggest that nanoplastics could potentially harm brain development if they reach neural tissue, though more research is needed to understand real-world exposure levels.

2024 PLoS ONE 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics exposure affects neural development of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical spheroids

Researchers used lab-grown human brain tissue models to study how polystyrene microplastics affect early brain development. Short-term exposure stimulated cell growth, but longer exposure reduced cell survival and disrupted the expression of genes critical for brain tissue formation. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure could potentially interfere with embryonic brain development in a way that depends on both particle size and concentration.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 139 citations
Article Tier 2

Internalization and toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics on inmortalized human neural stem cells

Researchers tested 30-nanometer polystyrene particles on human neural stem cells grown in the lab and found the particles entered the cells, accumulated inside them, and triggered cell death. The nanoplastics also slowed cell growth but did not penetrate the cell nucleus. This study provides direct evidence that nanoplastics could harm the brain's stem cells, raising concerns about potential effects on brain development.

2024 Chemosphere 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Neuronal damage induced by nanopolystyrene particles in nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans

C. elegans nematodes were chronically exposed to nanopolystyrene particles and found to develop neuronal damage affecting both development and function of the nervous system after long-term exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations. The study provides early evidence that nanoplastics can cause neurological harm in an animal model, raising questions about potential neurotoxicity in other species.

2019 Environmental Science Nano 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Size-dependent neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics in flowing condition based on an in vitro microfluidic study

Researchers studied the size-dependent neurotoxicity of polystyrene micro- and nanoparticles on mouse hippocampal neuronal cells using a microfluidic system that simulates flowing conditions. The study found that both particle sizes were efficiently taken up by cells, but nanoparticles showed greater neurotoxic effects at the concentrations tested. Evidence indicates that particle size is an important factor in determining the neurological impact of plastic pollution.

2022 Chemosphere 41 citations
Article Tier 2

[Effects of nanopolystyrene nanoplastic exposure on the development and neurotoxicity of fetal rats during gestation].

Researchers found that gestational exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics in rats caused dose-dependent reductions in fetal body weight, body length, and brain development, with smaller 25 nm particles producing more pronounced neurotoxic effects than 50 nm particles.

2022 PubMed 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Cytotoxicity of amine-modified polystyrene MPs and NPs on neural stem cells cultured from mouse subventricular zone

Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics with a positive surface charge on neural stem cells from mouse brains. Both sizes of particles reduced cell survival, but nanoplastics were significantly more toxic at lower concentrations, causing cell death and preventing stem cells from developing into mature brain cells. These findings suggest that nanoplastics that reach the brain could potentially harm the nervous system's ability to repair and maintain itself.

2024 Heliyon 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Human neurons are susceptible to the internalization of small-sized nanoplastics

Researchers studied how human neurons take up nanoplastics and found that the cells readily absorbed 50-nanometer polystyrene particles through specific cellular pathways. The nanoplastics accumulated in cell compartments and, at higher concentrations, triggered oxidative stress and reduced cell survival. The study provides evidence that very small plastic particles can enter human brain cells, raising concerns about potential neurological effects of nanoplastic exposure.

2025 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene (nano)microplastics cause size-dependent neurotoxicity, oxidative damage and other adverse effects inCaenorhabditis elegans

Researchers found that polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics cause neurotoxicity and oxidative damage in the model organism C. elegans, with effects varying by particle size. Smaller nanoscale particles tended to cause more severe toxic responses than larger microplastic particles. The study highlights that the size of plastic particles is an important factor in determining how harmful they are to living organisms.

2018 Environmental Science Nano 422 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on the Biology of Human Neural Stem Cells and Human Cerebral Organoids.

This study investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human neural stem cells and human cerebral organoids, examining whether nanoplastics that have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta can disrupt normal brain development. Given the lack of prior research on nanoplastic effects on the developing brain, the findings carry significant implications for understanding neurodevelopmental risks from early-life plastic exposure.

2023 IBRO Neuroscience Reports
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics induced size-dependent developmental and neurobehavioral toxicities in embryonic and juvenile zebrafish

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and juveniles to polystyrene nanoplastics of three different sizes and found that all sizes crossed into the brain, eyes, and other organs. Smaller particles tended to cause different types of damage than larger ones, including changes in brain development and behavior. This size-dependent toxicity is relevant to human health because we are exposed to a wide range of nanoplastic sizes through food and water.

2024 Aquatic Toxicology 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Are all nanoplastics equally neurotoxic? Influence of size and surface functionalization on the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in human neuronal cells

Researchers tested four types of polystyrene nanoplastics on human neuronal cells and found that toxicity varied dramatically depending on particle surface chemistry. Particles with amine surface groups were the most harmful, significantly reducing cell survival and causing visible damage to cell structures, while unmodified particles showed minimal toxicity, suggesting that surface properties matter as much as size when assessing nanoplastic risks.

2025 Environmental Pollution 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes brain abnormalities in progeny

Researchers found that maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics caused brain abnormalities in offspring, demonstrating that nanoplastics can cross maternal barriers and affect neurological development in progeny with implications for developmental toxicology.

2021 Research Square (Research Square) 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Neurotoxic potential of polystyrene nanoplastics in primary cells originating from mouse brain

Researchers exposed three types of primary mouse brain cells to 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics and found that neurons underwent apoptosis while astrocytes survived but developed reactive astrocytosis with elevated inflammatory markers, suggesting that neuronal vulnerability to nanoplastic accumulation may be amplified by astrocyte-driven neuroinflammation.

2020 NeuroToxicology 118 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics impacts developmental milestones and brain structure in mouse offspring

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene nanoplastics and studied the effects on their offspring's brain development. The study found that maternal nanoplastic exposure affected developmental milestones and brain structure in the young mice. The findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy may pose risks to fetal brain development, though more research is needed to understand the implications for humans.

2023 Environmental Science Advances 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics penetrate across the blood-brain barrier and induce activation of microglia in the brain of mice

Researchers demonstrated that 50-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier in mice, accumulate in brain tissue, and activate immune cells called microglia that then damage neurons. The nanoplastics disrupted the tight junctions that normally protect the brain, creating openings for the particles to pass through. This study provides direct evidence that nanoplastics can reach the brain and trigger inflammation, raising concerns about potential neurological effects of long-term nanoplastic exposure in humans.

2022 Chemosphere 413 citations
Article Tier 2

Neurodevelopmental Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics inCaenorhabditis elegansand the Regulating Effect of Presenilin

C. elegans exposed to 25, 50, and 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics showed size-dependent neurodevelopmental toxicity — including reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial damage, and inhibited dopamine production — with smaller particles (25 nm) paradoxically showing weaker effects than the 50 nm size.

2020 ACS Omega 64 citations
Article Tier 2

Mechanisms Underlying the Size-Dependent Neurotoxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Zebrafish

Scientists discovered that smaller nanoplastics cause more severe brain and nerve damage in zebrafish than larger ones, and identified the molecular pathways behind this size-dependent toxicity. The smaller particles more easily crossed biological barriers and triggered greater oxidative stress and inflammation in the nervous system, which is important for understanding potential neurological risks of nanoplastic exposure.

2025 Environmental Science & Technology 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of polystyrene nanoplastic size on zebrafish embryo development

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to polystyrene nanoplastics of four sizes and found only the smallest (30 nm) caused mortality and altered oxidative stress and apoptosis gene expression, while larger particles (100–450 nm) were ingested and accumulated in the digestive system without causing developmental malformations.

2024 Toxicology in Vitro 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Defining the size ranges of polystyrene nanoplastics according to their ability to cross biological barriers

Researchers systematically examined polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes to define the size ranges at which they can cross biological barriers, providing a more precise definition of nanoplastic dimensions relevant to toxicological assessment.

2023 Environmental Science Nano 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes brain abnormalities in progeny

When pregnant mice were exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics, their offspring showed abnormal brain development including changes in neural stem cell function, altered brain structure, and cognitive problems. The effects were gender-specific, with some deficits appearing more strongly in one sex. This study raises concerns that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could increase the risk of neurodevelopmental problems in children.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 271 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of nanoplastic cytotoxicity using SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and polystyrene nanoparticles

Researchers exposed human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) to polystyrene nanoparticles and found cytotoxicity comparable to or exceeding that of acrylamide, a recognized neurotoxin, with cells showing neurite shrinkage, nuclear swelling, and membrane damage, though the effective concentrations were much higher than those currently measured in marine environments.

2021 Toxicology in Vitro 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics transport in zebrafish brain: Molecular and phenotypic behavioral impacts

This study tracked how nanoplastics of two sizes (50 nm and 200 nm) accumulate in and clear from zebrafish brains. Smaller nanoplastics built up more and lasted longer in the brain, causing greater damage to neurons and more behavioral changes like reduced activity and impaired learning. The findings suggest that the tiniest plastic particles may pose the most risk to brain health because they are harder for the body to remove.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 5 citations