Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Neurophysiological and Behavioral Effects of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Aquatic Organisms

Researchers reviewed evidence that micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic environments cross the blood-brain barrier, accumulate in neural tissues, and cause oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and disrupted neurotransmitter signaling, with downstream effects on locomotion, feeding, predator avoidance, and social behavior across multiple aquatic species.

2026 Animals
Article Tier 2

The plastic brain: neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics

This review examines the emerging evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can reach the brain in both aquatic animals and mammals, potentially causing neurotoxic effects. Researchers found that exposure to these particles induces oxidative stress, inhibits key enzymes involved in nerve signaling, and alters neurotransmitter levels, which may contribute to behavioral changes. The study highlights that systematic research comparing different particle types, sizes, and exposure conditions is urgently needed to understand the neurological risks.

2020 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 691 citations
Review Tier 2

Bioaccumulation and ecotoxicological impact of micro(nano)plastics in aquatic and land snails: Historical review, current research and emerging trends

This review summarizes the ecotoxicological impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic and land snail species worldwide. Researchers found evidence of microplastic bioaccumulation in 40 gastropod species, with Asia showing the highest contamination levels, and documented harmful effects including behavioral changes, oxidative stress, and tissue damage. The study highlights that toxicity depends on particle composition, shape, and size, and identifies significant research gaps in understanding how these pollutants affect invertebrate communities.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 60 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of plastic particles on aquatic invertebrates and fish – A review

This review summarizes current knowledge on how microplastics and their chemical additives affect aquatic invertebrates and fish, covering behavioral changes, developmental problems, and immune system disruption. Researchers found that microplastics can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, neurotoxicity, and altered gene expression across a wide range of species. The study also highlights how microplastics act as carriers for other toxic substances, potentially amplifying their harmful effects.

2022 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 116 citations
Article Tier 2

An overview of research on the association between microplastics and central nervous system disorders

This review explores the growing body of evidence linking microplastic exposure to central nervous system disorders. Researchers found that microplastics can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption, then accumulate in neural tissues where they trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal damage. The study aims to provide a scientific foundation for assessing the public health risks of microplastic exposure on brain health.

2025 Frontiers in Public Health 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, genotoxicity and prey-predator interactions in freshwater snails exposed to microplastics

This conference abstract investigates oxidative stress, nerve damage, DNA damage, and changes in predator-prey behavior in freshwater snails exposed to microplastics, pointing to a broad range of harmful biological effects. Understanding these impacts in aquatic invertebrates matters because they occupy important ecological roles and their exposure to microplastics can have cascading effects through food webs.

2023 Endocrine Abstracts
Article Tier 2

Assessing the Impact of Microplastics on Brain Chemistry: The Need for a Comprehensive Policy Framework to Mitigate Toxicity

This review examines the growing evidence that microplastics can cross biological barriers, accumulate in brain tissue, and affect neurological function. Researchers found that microplastic exposure has been linked to neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the brain, with potential implications for neurotransmitter systems and cognitive function. The study calls for comprehensive regulatory measures to limit microplastic pollution and further research into the long-term neurological health effects.

2024 International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Heavy Metals and Emerging Contaminants in Foods and Food Products Associated with Neurotoxicity

This review examines how heavy metals and emerging contaminants in food, including microplastics, can cause damage to the nervous system. Researchers found that these substances can cross into the brain and contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and nerve cell damage. The study highlights the importance of monitoring food contamination to protect neurological health.

2024 5 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

The ecotoxicological impact of microplastics on freshwater invertebrates

This review summarizes the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics on freshwater invertebrates, finding evidence of harm including reduced feeding, growth, and reproduction across multiple species. Because invertebrates are key links in food webs, these effects could have broader consequences for freshwater ecosystems.

2019 CentAUR (University of Reading) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

From environment to brain: the role of microplastics in neurobehavioral disorders

This review examines how microplastics enter the human body and cross the blood-brain barrier, linking their presence in neural tissue to neurobehavioral disorders through mechanisms including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of neurotransmitter systems.

2025 Frontiers in Neuroscience
Article Tier 2

Microplastics: impact on marine animals and their remediation strategies

This review examines the presence and impact of microplastics on marine animals including fish, mollusks, echinoderms, and crustaceans. Researchers found that marine animals ingest microplastics either directly through filter feeding or indirectly through contaminated prey, leading to tissue damage, metabolic disorders, and oxidative stress. The chapter also evaluates remediation strategies including physicochemical methods and microbe-based degradation technologies.

2024 Microplastics 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental exposure pathways of microplastics and their toxic effects on ecosystems and the nervous system

This review examines the environmental pathways by which microplastics enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, with a particular focus on their effects on the nervous system. Researchers summarize evidence that microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and may trigger neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in brain tissue. The study highlights the nervous system as a key area of concern for microplastic-related health research.

2025 Frontiers in Toxicology 3 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
Article Tier 2

Neurotoxicity induced by aged microplastics from plastic bowls: Abnormal neurotransmission in Caenorhabditis elegans

Researchers found that microplastics released from aged plastic bowls caused nerve damage in the roundworm C. elegans at environmentally realistic concentrations. The aged microplastics disrupted neurotransmitter systems including dopamine and serotonin, leading to impaired movement. This study is concerning because it shows that everyday plastic items we use for food can release microplastics that have neurotoxic effects.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 16 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

Effect of hypoxia and reoxygenation on the nervous system  of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Despite its title referencing neuroplasticity in marine mussels, this paper studies how the Mediterranean mussel's nervous system adapts to cycles of low oxygen and re-oxygenation — not microplastic pollution. It examines molecular and cellular mechanisms of hypoxia tolerance in marine bivalves and is not relevant to microplastics or human health.

2026
Article Tier 2

Discussing Behavioural Ecotoxicology in the Light of Some Environmentally Available Anthropogenic Contaminants and their Influence on Behavioural Alterations in Animals

This review paper summarizes research showing that common pollutants like pesticides, heavy metals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals can change how animals behave by affecting their nervous systems. Scientists study these behavioral changes in animals because they help us understand how these same pollutants might harm brain function in humans. This research is important because it gives us early warning signs about which environmental chemicals could be damaging our health.

2026 Preprints.org
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

Microplastics in the marine environment: Current trends in environmental pollution and mechanisms of toxicological profile

This review examines current trends in marine microplastic pollution and the mechanisms through which these particles cause toxicity in marine organisms. Researchers found that microplastics can cause physical damage to digestive tracts, transfer absorbed chemical pollutants to tissues, and trigger inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. The study highlights the growing scale of the problem as global plastic production continues to rise.

2019 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 783 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastics toxicity in aquatic animals

This systematic review summarizes existing research on how microplastics harm aquatic animals across multiple species. The findings show microplastics can cause physical damage, oxidative stress, reproductive issues, and behavioral changes in fish, shellfish, and other water-dwelling creatures. Since many of these animals are part of the human food chain, their contamination represents an indirect health concern for people.

2024 Microplastics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Progress on the Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Crustaceans: A Review

This review examined the effects of microplastics on aquatic crustaceans, finding that microplastics negatively affect life history, behavior, and physiological functions including oxidative stress, immune responses, and reproductive output across multiple species.

2023 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics mixture exposure at environmentally relevant conditions induce oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in the wedge clam Donax trunculus

Wedge clams (Donax trunculus) exposed to an environmentally relevant microplastic mixture showed elevated oxidative stress markers and neurotoxicity indicators (inhibited acetylcholinesterase), demonstrating that real-world mixed microplastic exposure causes biochemical harm in marine bivalves.

2020 Chemosphere 95 citations
Article Tier 2

Ecotoxicological Impacts of Micro and Nanoplastics on Marine Fauna

This review examines the ecotoxicological impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on marine fauna, detailing how these particles enter food chains through ingestion, accumulate across trophic levels, and cause physical and chemical harm including oxidative stress, inflammation, reproductive disruption, and mortality. The authors highlight the compounding threat when plastics act as vectors for adsorbed pollutants.

2020 Examines in Marine Biology & Oceanography 17 citations