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20 resultsShowing papers similar to The gut-brain axis involved in polystyrene nanoplastics-induced neurotoxicity via reprogramming the circadian rhythm-related pathways
ClearAdolescent exposure to micro/nanoplastics induces cognitive impairments in mice with neuronal morphological damage and multi-omic alterations
Adolescent mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics showed significant memory and learning problems, along with neuron loss and reduced new brain cell growth in the hippocampus. The nanoplastics also disrupted gut bacteria and brain chemistry, with strong links found between gut microbiome changes and brain metabolic disruption, suggesting that plastic exposure during youth may impair brain development through the gut-brain connection.
Exposure to polystyrene microplastics impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in mice
Researchers found that mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics for eight weeks showed impaired learning and memory, with plastic particles detected in their hippocampus, the brain region critical for memory formation. The microplastics caused neuroinflammation, disrupted synaptic signaling, and altered gene expression in the brain. Interestingly, cutting the vagus nerve partially prevented these effects, suggesting that gut-brain communication plays a role in how ingested microplastics affect cognitive function.
Polystyrene Microplastics Disrupt the Gut-Brain Axis via Activating Brain TLR4 and Impair Hippocampal Synapses through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles from polystyrene (commonly used in food containers and packaging) can damage the connection between your gut and brain when consumed. These microplastics disrupt healthy gut bacteria, allowing harmful substances to enter the bloodstream and eventually reach the brain, where they cause inflammation and damage to areas important for memory and learning. This research suggests that exposure to these tiny plastic particles could potentially contribute to brain health problems over time.
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.
Innovative mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastic-induced brain injury: Emphasis on the microbiota-gut-brain axis
This review summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics may damage the brain through the gut-brain axis, a communication pathway between the digestive system and the nervous system. Nanoplastics can disrupt gut bacteria and weaken the intestinal barrier, potentially sending inflammatory signals to the brain. The authors suggest that targeting gut health could be a way to reduce brain damage caused by nanoplastic exposure.
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 nanoplastics induced learning and memory impairments in mice by damaging the glymphatic system
Mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics through different routes developed learning and memory problems linked to damage in their brain's waste-clearing system, called the glymphatic system. Amino-modified nanoplastics caused the most severe effects, disrupting the channels that normally flush toxins from the brain during sleep, suggesting a mechanism by which plastic pollution could contribute to cognitive decline.
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.
Oral exposure of polystyrene microplastics and doxycycline affects mice neurological function via gut microbiota disruption: The orchestrating role of fecal microbiota transplantation
Mice exposed to both polystyrene microplastics and the antibiotic doxycycline showed brain inflammation and declines in learning and memory, driven by disruptions to their gut bacteria. Fecal transplants from healthy mice reversed some of these brain effects, confirming the gut-brain connection plays a key role. This suggests that microplastics combined with common antibiotics could harm brain function through changes in the gut microbiome.
Microbiota-mediated metabolic perturbations in the gut and brain of mice after microplastic exposure
In a mouse study, oral exposure to polystyrene microplastics of two sizes altered the gut bacteria community and caused metabolic changes in both the intestines and the brain. The disrupted gut bacteria appeared to drive changes in bile acid, energy, and other metabolic pathways. These findings support the idea that microplastics in food and water could affect brain health indirectly by first disrupting the gut microbiome and its chemical signals.
Oral feeding of nanoplastics affects brain function of mice by inducing macrophage IL-1 signal in the intestine
Researchers found that when mice consumed nanoplastics, the tiny particles triggered immune cells in the gut to produce an inflammatory signal (IL-1) that traveled to the brain and impaired cognitive function. Nanoplastics were more potent at activating this gut-brain immune pathway than larger microplastics. This study reveals a concerning mechanism by which swallowing nanoplastics in food or water could affect brain health through the gut immune system.
Nanoplastic Impact on the Gut-Brain Axis: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Researchers reviewed the emerging evidence on how nanoplastics may affect the gut-brain axis, the communication pathway between the digestive and nervous systems. Studies indicate that nanoplastic exposure can alter gut microbiota, increase intestinal permeability, trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, and produce neurotoxic and behavioral effects. The review calls for more research given the ubiquitous presence of plastics in the human environment and the potential for nanoplastics to disrupt this critical biological communication pathway.
Trehalose Acts as a Mediator: Imbalance in Brain Proteostasis Induced by Polystyrene Nanoplastics via Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis during Early Life
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics caused brain damage in young mice by disrupting gut bacteria, which in turn altered levels of a sugar called trehalose that is important for brain protein balance. Fecal transplant experiments confirmed that about 39% of the brain damage was driven indirectly through gut microbiome changes rather than nanoplastics reaching the brain directly. The study highlights the gut-brain connection as a key pathway through which nanoplastics may harm neurological development in early life.
Polystyrene Nanoplastics Hitch-Hike the Gut–Brain Axis to Exacerbate Parkinson’s Pathology
Scientists found that polystyrene nanoplastics can travel from the gut to the brain along nerve pathways and worsen Parkinson's disease in mice. The nanoplastics accelerated the clumping of alpha-synuclein, a protein central to Parkinson's, which triggered brain inflammation, damaged mitochondria, and impaired the cellular cleanup system. Mice exposed to both nanoplastics and the disease protein showed progressive physical and motor decline resembling Parkinson's symptoms.
Neurotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on memory and microglial activation: Insights from in vivo and in vitro studies
In a mouse study, tiny nanoplastics (30-50 nanometers) that were swallowed reached the brain and caused memory problems by activating the brain's immune cells, called microglia, which triggered inflammation. This is concerning because it shows that nanoplastics small enough to be found in everyday products like cosmetics could cross into the brain and impair cognitive function.
Oxidized/unmodified-polyethylene microplastics neurotoxicity in mice: Perspective from microbiota-gut-brain axis
Mice exposed to both regular and environmentally weathered polyethylene microplastics developed brain and gut damage, including behavioral changes, weakened gut and blood-brain barriers, and inflammation -- with weathered microplastics causing even more harm. Importantly, treatment with a probiotic (Lactobacillus) and a prebiotic partially reversed these effects, suggesting that gut-friendly supplements might help protect against microplastic-related brain and intestinal damage.
From exposure to neurotoxicity induced by micro-nanoplastics with brain accumulation and cognitive decline
This review synthesizes evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can reach the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier or traveling along nerve pathways, accumulating in regions critical for memory and thinking. Animal studies show that chronic exposure leads to cognitive problems, behavioral changes, and brain changes resembling neurodegenerative diseases, driven by oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of the gut-brain connection. The findings raise concern that long-term human exposure to nanoplastics through food and air could contribute to cognitive decline and neurological disease.
Deciphering the Neurotoxic Burden of Micro- and Nanoplastics: From Multi-model Experimental Evidence to Therapeutic Innovation
This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics damage the brain and nervous system, covering evidence from cell studies, animal experiments, and clinical observations. Plastic particles can cross the blood-brain barrier, disrupt the gut-brain connection, cause oxidative stress, and trigger inflammation that leads to memory problems and cognitive decline. The review also discusses potential treatment strategies, making it a useful resource for understanding the brain health risks of plastic exposure.
Microplastics and the gut-brain axis: Unraveling neurotoxic mechanisms and health implications
This review examines how microplastics interact with the gut-brain axis, a communication network linking the digestive system to the central nervous system. Researchers found that microplastics can disrupt intestinal barrier integrity, alter gut microbiota composition, and trigger systemic inflammation that may affect neurotransmitter balance and brain function. The study suggests that chronic microplastic exposure through the diet could contribute to neurological effects through inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways.
Neurotoxicity of Micro- and Nanoplastics: A Comprehensive Review of Central Nervous System Impacts
This comprehensive review summarizes the evidence linking micro- and nanoplastic exposure to damage in the brain and nervous system. The plastics can harm neurons, disrupt the protective blood-brain barrier, trigger brain inflammation, and promote the clumping of proteins associated with diseases like Alzheimer's. The review highlights the gut-brain axis as a key pathway, meaning microplastics swallowed in food and water could affect brain health through the digestive system.