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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Maternal exposure to polystyrene microplastics impairs social behavior in mouse offspring with a potential neurotoxicity
ClearPerinatal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics alters socioemotional behaviors via the microbiota–gut–brain axis in adult offspring mice
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics during the perinatal period and found that the offspring developed depression-like behaviors, reduced social interactions, and diminished social dominance as adults. The nanoplastics caused structural damage to hippocampal neurons and disrupted gut microbiota composition, particularly in male offspring. The study suggests that early-life nanoplastic exposure may affect brain development and behavior through the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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.
Exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces sociality and brain oxytocin levels through the gut-brain axis in mice
Adolescent mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics for 10 weeks showed reduced social behavior and lower levels of oxytocin -- a hormone important for social bonding -- in a key brain region. The microplastics damaged the gut lining and altered gut bacteria, and when researchers blocked the nerve connection between the gut and brain, the social behavior problems improved. This provides strong evidence that microplastics can affect brain function and social behavior through the gut-brain axis.
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.
Neonatal Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Impairs Microglia-Mediated Synaptic Pruning and Causes Social Behavioral Defects in Adulthood
Newborn mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics showed disrupted brain development that led to social behavior problems lasting into adulthood. The nanoplastics impaired microglia -- the brain's immune cells -- preventing them from properly pruning unnecessary connections between nerve cells during a critical window of early development. This raises concerns about nanoplastic exposure from baby bottles and other infant products.
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.
Effects of nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and lactation on neurodevelopment of rat offspring
When pregnant and nursing rats were exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics, their offspring showed thinner brain cortexes, disrupted neurotransmitter levels, damaged connections between brain cells, and problems with anxiety and spatial memory. This study suggests that maternal exposure to nanoplastics during pregnancy and breastfeeding could affect brain development in offspring.
Teratological, neurochemical and histomorphic changes in the limbic areas of F1 mice progeny due to co-parental polystyrene nanoplastic exposure
Researchers exposed parent mice to polystyrene nanoplastics before and during pregnancy and found that offspring exhibited skeletal and visceral malformations, impaired neonatal reflexes, learning deficits, and structural brain changes — including reduced hippocampal neurons — demonstrating transgenerational neurodevelopmental harm from nanoplastic exposure.
Intergenerational neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in offspring mice is mediated by dysfunctional microbe-gut-brain axis
Researchers found that mother mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics during pregnancy and nursing passed neurological harm to their offspring, with the babies showing brain inflammation, disrupted dopamine and serotonin signaling, and gut microbiome imbalances — suggesting that nanoplastic exposure before birth can damage the developing brain through the gut-brain connection.
Evaluation of Neurotoxicity in BALB/c Mice following Chronic Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastics
Researchers found that chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastics in mice led to learning and memory problems along with signs of neurotoxicity. The study suggests that long-term microplastic exposure may impair brain function in mammals. These findings raise important questions about the potential neurological risks of microplastic exposure for the broader public.
Effects of exposure to micro/nanoplastics of polystyrene on neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and anxiety-like behavior in mice: A Systematic Review
This systematic review examined 24 studies on how polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics affect the brains of mice. The findings consistently showed that exposure led to increased oxidative stress, brain inflammation, and anxiety-like behavior. Maternal exposure also caused brain-related harm in offspring, suggesting these tiny plastic particles could pose real risks to the nervous system.
Long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces macrophages and affects the microbiota–gut–brain axis in mice
Mice that consumed polystyrene microplastics over an extended period showed reduced immune cells called macrophages in their colons and changes in gut bacteria that were linked to altered brain chemistry. This study provides evidence for a gut-brain connection where microplastics may affect brain function indirectly by first disrupting gut health and the immune system.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoparticles exposure induced anxiety-like behaviors, gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolism disorder in adult mice
A mouse study found that exposure to both micro- and nano-sized polystyrene particles caused anxiety-like behavior, disrupted gut bacteria, and altered metabolism. The nanoplastics caused more severe effects than the larger microplastics, and longer exposure periods made the damage worse. These findings support the idea that plastic particles can affect brain function and behavior through the gut-brain connection.
Manifestation of polystyrene microplastic accumulation in brain with emphasis on morphometric and histopathological changes in limbic areas of Swiss albino mice
Mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics showed cognitive impairment, anxiety-like behavior, and measurable brain damage, particularly in the limbic system regions responsible for memory and emotion. The microplastics accumulated in the brain and caused neuron loss in the hippocampus, along with structural damage to the cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus. This study provides direct evidence that microplastics can reach the brain and cause physical changes that affect behavior and mental function.
Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics alters fetal brain metabolism in mice
When pregnant mice drank water containing polystyrene nanoplastics at low concentrations, their unborn pups showed significant changes in brain chemistry, including a 40% drop in GABA (a key brain chemical) and a 30% drop in glucose levels. These metabolic disruptions in the fetal brain could help explain the structural brain changes previously seen in pups born to nanoplastic-exposed mothers. This study raises concerns that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could affect fetal brain development in humans.
Gestational exposure to polystyrene microplastics incurred placental damage in mice: Insights into metabolic and gene expression disorders
This mouse study found that when pregnant mice were exposed to tiny polystyrene microplastics (0.1 micrometers), the particles crossed the placenta and reached fetal livers and brains, causing placental damage and impaired fetal development. Larger microplastics (5 micrometers) were less able to cross the placenta, suggesting that the smallest plastic particles pose the greatest risk during pregnancy.
Pre/post-natal exposure to microplastic as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorder
Researchers investigated whether microplastic exposure could be a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder by testing the effects of polyethylene particles on mice at different life stages. They found that microplastics accumulated in the brain and that prenatal exposure in particular led to behavioral changes in offspring resembling autistic traits. The study suggests a possible link between early microplastic exposure and neurodevelopmental effects, though more research is needed to understand the relevance to humans.
Maternal Exposure to Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastics Causes Fetal Growth Restriction in Mice
Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene micro and nanoplastics and found that exposure caused fetal growth restriction and placental abnormalities. The study observed that plastic particles accumulated in placental tissue and disrupted normal placental function. These findings raise concern that maternal exposure to plastic particles during pregnancy may interfere with fetal development.
Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics during gestation and lactation induces hepatic and testicular toxicity in male mouse offspring
Researchers exposed pregnant and nursing mice to polystyrene nanoplastics and studied the effects on their male offspring. The offspring showed reduced body weight, liver damage with inflammation and disrupted sugar metabolism, and testicular harm including decreased sperm counts. The findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause significant organ damage in the next generation.
Polystyrene microplastics induced disturbances in neuronal arborization and dendritic spine density in mice prefrontal cortex
Mice that consumed polystyrene microplastics for 28 days showed significant damage to brain cells in the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for decision-making and behavior. The neurons had shorter branches, fewer connections, and reduced levels of a key growth factor called BDNF. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure could affect brain structure and potentially cognitive function, raising concerns about the neurological effects of chronic microplastic ingestion in humans.