Papers

61,005 results
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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

Exploring the Neurotoxic Potential of LDPE Microplastics: Evidence in Vitro and in Vivo Assessment

This study assessed the neurotoxic potential of LDPE microplastics in both in vitro neural cell models and in vivo animal exposure experiments, finding evidence of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted neurochemistry at environmentally relevant concentrations.

2025 Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
Article Tier 2

Exposure to microplastics/ nanoplastics induces responses of microglia and astrocytes: roles of oxidative stress and autophagy

This study examined how microplastic and nanoplastic exposure affects glial cells in the central nervous system, specifically investigating responses of microglia and astrocytes, which are the brain's primary immune and support cells. Results showed that micro- and nanoplastic exposure triggered inflammatory-type responses in these cells, raising concern for neurological effects.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics induce SH-SY5Y cell damage through oxidative stress and disruption of amino acid metabolism

Researchers exposed human neuronal cells to five types of nanoplastics and found that polyethylene and polypropylene particles caused the most significant reductions in cell viability. The nanoplastics induced oxidative stress, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and triggered cell death pathways. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that amino acid metabolism was particularly affected, suggesting a specific mechanism by which nanoplastics may damage nerve cells.

2026 Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Exposure to microplastics/ nanoplastics induces responses of microglia and astrocytes: roles of oxidative stress and autophagy

This study investigated how microplastic and nanoplastic exposure affects glial cells including microglia and astrocytes in the central nervous system, which are essential for neurological immune defense and homeostasis. Exposure triggered reactive responses in both cell types, raising concern that plastic particle accumulation in the brain could contribute to neuroinflammation.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Systematic Review Tier 1

The neurotoxic threat of micro- and nanoplastics: evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo models

This systematic review examined 26 studies showing that micro- and nanoplastics can cross into the brain, damage neurons, and trigger inflammation in lab and animal models. These findings raise concerns that long-term plastic exposure could contribute to neurological problems in humans, though more research is needed.

2025 Archives of Toxicology 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics/nanoplastics and neurological health: An overview of neurological defects and mechanisms

This review summarizes evidence that micro and nanoplastics can harm the nervous system, causing developmental abnormalities, brain cell death, neurological inflammation, and potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. Animal studies show that these tiny plastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in brain tissue, where they trigger oxidative stress and disrupt normal brain function. While direct evidence in humans is still limited, the findings suggest that chronic microplastic exposure could be a risk factor for neurological health problems.

2024 Toxicology 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Insights into the toxic effects of micro-nano-plastics on the human brain and their relationship with the onset of neurological diseases: A narrative review.

This review examined toxic effects of micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) on the human brain, linking MNP exposure to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and progression toward neurodegenerative diseases. The authors synthesized evidence from cell studies, animal models, and emerging human data.

2025 Ageing research reviews
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure Triggers an Activation and Stress Response in Human Astrocytes

Researchers exposed primary human astrocytes to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that these particles triggered cellular stress responses, including increased production of reactive oxygen species and activation of inflammatory pathways. Nanoplastics were particularly effective at penetrating cells and disrupting normal astrocyte function. The findings suggest that plastic particle exposure may contribute to neuroinflammatory processes in the brain, warranting further investigation into potential neurotoxic effects.

2025 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nanoplastics in neurological dysfunction

This review examines growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastic particles can interfere with the nervous system across multiple species, including humans. Researchers found that plastic particles may disrupt cellular metabolism, affect brain development, and increase vulnerability to neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration. The authors highlight significant knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to understand the long-term neurological impacts of plastic particle exposure.

2026 Trends in Neurosciences
Article Tier 2

Brain under siege: the role of micro and nanoplastics in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress

This review examines emerging evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in nervous tissue, potentially triggering neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Researchers summarized findings showing these particles may act as neurotoxicants that contribute to synaptic dysfunction and pathological changes in brain cells. The study highlights the need for further research into how chronic plastic particle exposure may affect central nervous system health over time.

2026 3 Biotech
Article Tier 2

Primary astrocytes as a cellular depot of polystyrene nanoparticles

Researchers found that astrocytes — support cells in the brain — absorb polystyrene nanoplastics far more efficiently than neurons and act as a cellular buffer to protect nerve cells, but become overactivated when the particle load is too high, losing their protective function and potentially contributing to neurological harm.

2025 Scientific Reports 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental Nanoplastic Accumulation and Neurodegenerative Disease in Animal Models

This review examines animal model evidence linking environmental nanoplastic accumulation in brain tissue to neurodegeneration, synthesizing studies showing that nanoplastics trigger neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, and synaptic dysfunction relevant to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease pathology.

2025 Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
Article Tier 2

Neurotoxicityof Micro- and Nanoplastics: A ComprehensiveReview of Central Nervous System Impacts

This comprehensive review examines neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics, synthesizing evidence that MNP exposure disrupts neural signaling, promotes neuroinflammation, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and may contribute to neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Toxicity in vitro reveals potential impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health: A review

This review summarizes laboratory cell-culture studies examining the potential health impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics on human cells. Researchers found evidence that these particles can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption to normal cell functions across multiple cell types. The study suggests that while more research is needed, the in vitro evidence indicates microplastics and nanoplastics have the potential to affect human health through several biological pathways.

2021 Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 119 citations
Article Tier 2

The plastic brain part II: new insights into micro- and nanoplastics neurotoxicity

This systematic review evaluated neurotoxicity evidence from studies on micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure, covering a rapidly growing body of literature. The authors found consistent evidence of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and behavioral disruption across multiple model systems, though dose-response relationships and human relevance remain areas of uncertainty.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics
Article Tier 2

Micro-nanoplastics in the central nervous system: Evidence, mechanisms and perspectives

This review examines evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause neurotoxicity through oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and disruption of neurotransmitter signaling. While clinical studies have confirmed the presence of plastic particles in human brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid, the authors note that methodological limitations and inconsistent quality controls currently prevent establishing a definitive causal link to neurological conditions.

2026 Toxicology
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Molecular Neurobiology 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Neurotoxicities induced by micro/nanoplastics: A review focusing on the risks of neurological diseases

This review summarizes evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can reach the brain through the bloodstream and nerve pathways, where they trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell damage that may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. The particles are found in air, water, soil, and food, meaning humans are constantly exposed through breathing, eating, and skin contact, making brain effects a serious long-term concern.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 99 citations
Article Tier 2

PLASTAMINATION: Outcomes on the Central Nervous System and Reproduction.

This review assessed evidence for neurotoxic and reproductive effects of both biodegradable and conventional micro- and nanoplastics, finding that plastic particles and their chemical additives can cross the blood-brain barrier and disrupt hormone systems, with concerning implications for nervous system and reproductive health.

2024 Current neuropharmacology
Article Tier 2

Elucidating the Neurotoxicopathological Impact of Micro and Nanoplastics: Mechanistic Insights Into Oxidative Stress-mediated Neurodegeneration and Implications for Public Health in a Plastic Pervasive Era

Researchers reviewed the growing evidence linking micro- and nanoplastic exposure to neurodegenerative diseases, identifying oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, DNA damage, and protein misfolding as key mechanisms of harm to the brain. The review highlights critical knowledge gaps — especially around chronic low-dose exposure — and calls for better detection tools and public health policies to address the emerging neurological threat from plastic pollution.

2025 Indian Journal of Health Care Medical & Pharmacy Practice
Article Tier 2

EVALUATING ENDOCRINE AND OXIDATIVE EFFECTS OF POLYLACTIC ACID NANOPLASTICS (PLA-NPs) ON BREAST CELL MODELS

PLA nanoplastics were tested on breast cell models (both normal and cancer cell lines), finding endocrine disruption and oxidative stress at low concentrations, raising concerns that biodegradable plastic degradation products may affect breast tissue health.

2025 Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
Article Tier 2

Genotoxic and neurotoxic potential of intracellular nanoplastics: A review

This review examines how nanoplastics, once inside human cells, could cause cancer and brain damage. At the cellular level, these tiny particles can disrupt waste-clearing processes, damage mitochondria, generate harmful free radicals, and directly damage DNA. In long-lived cells like neurons, nanoplastics may promote the buildup of toxic protein clumps linked to neurodegenerative diseases, while in rapidly dividing cells they could trigger tumor development.

2024 Journal of Applied Toxicology 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicological Research on Nano and Microplastics in Environmental Pollution: Current Advances and Future Directions

This review summarizes existing research on how nano- and microplastics from our massive global plastic production enter aquatic environments, absorb harmful chemicals, and move through food chains into living organisms. Studies show these particles can cause brain damage, disrupt metabolism, trigger inflammation, and produce harmful oxidative stress in aquatic species, with microplastics even detected in commercial fish that people eat.

2024 Aquatic Toxicology 43 citations