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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Neurotoxic potential of polystyrene nanoplastics in primary cells originating from mouse brain
ClearPolystyrene 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.
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.
Polystyrene Nano- and Microplastic Particles Induce an Inflammatory Gene Expression Profile in Rat Neural Stem Cell-Derived Astrocytes In Vitro
Researchers exposed brain cells derived from rat neural stem cells to polystyrene nano- and microplastics and found that astrocytes -- the most abundant brain support cells -- were the most affected, showing reduced survival and widespread changes in gene activity. The activated genes were involved in brain inflammation and immune responses, while genes for fat metabolism were turned down. These findings suggest that plastic particles reaching the brain could trigger inflammation that may contribute to neurological problems.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Microglial phagocytosis of polystyrene microplastics results in immune alteration and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier in mice after oral exposure and accumulate in brain tissue, where they are engulfed by microglia, the brain's immune cells. This engulfment triggered inflammatory responses and cell death in the microglia both in cell cultures and in living mice. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may affect brain immune function, with potential implications for neurological health.
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.
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.
Short-term PS-NP exposure in early adulthood induces neuronal damage in middle-aged mice via microglia-mediated neuroinflammation
Researchers orally dosed young mice with polystyrene nanoplastics for one week and observed, ten months later, that particles persisted in brain tissue and drove microglial-mediated neuroinflammation, synapse loss, and cognitive impairment — with minocycline treatment confirming that microglial activation was the key driver of long-term neuronal damage.
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.
Cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory effect of polystyrene nano-plastic and micro-plastic on RAW264.7 cells.
Researchers found that polystyrene nano-plastics (80 nm) induced apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine release in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells at lower concentrations than micro-plastics (3 μm), with nano-plastics also enhancing phagocytic activity and activating NF-kB signaling pathways more potently than their larger counterparts.
Revealing the underlying mechanisms of nanoplastics induces neuroinflammation: From transcriptomic analysis to in vivo and in vitro validation
This study investigated how nanoplastics cause brain inflammation in mice. Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics accumulated in the brain, triggered anxiety-like behavior and cognitive problems, and activated inflammatory pathways involving NF-kappaB signaling. The evidence indicates that nanoplastics can cross into the brain and activate immune cells there, pointing to specific molecular mechanisms that may underlie the neurological effects of plastic particle exposure.
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.
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.
A Multisystemic Approach Revealed Aminated Polystyrene Nanoparticles-Induced Neurotoxicity.
Aminated polystyrene nanoparticles caused neurotoxicity in multiple model systems, including effects on neuronal cell viability, oxidative stress markers, and behavioral changes in exposed organisms, demonstrating that surface charge of nanoplastics influences their capacity to damage nervous tissue.
Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure induces cognitive impairment in mice via induction of oxidative stress and ERK/MAPK-mediated neuronal cuproptosis
This mouse study found that polystyrene nanoplastics caused cognitive impairment by triggering oxidative stress and activating a cell-death process called cuproptosis in brain neurons. The findings suggest that copper buildup and specific signaling pathways may be therapeutic targets for reducing brain damage from nanoplastic exposure, though these results still need to be confirmed in human-relevant models.
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.
Oral exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces anxiety-like behavior and cognitive deficit accompanied with alteration of neuroimmune markers in rats
Researchers found that oral exposure to 50 nm polystyrene nanoplastics in rats induced anxiety-like behavior and cognitive deficits after four weeks of dosing. The study observed alterations in neuroimmune markers in the hippocampus, suggesting that nanoplastic ingestion may affect brain function through neuroinflammatory pathways.
Cerebral to SystemicRepresentations of Alzheimer’sPathogenesis Stimulated by Polystyrene Nanoplastics
Researchers exposed both wild-type and APP/PS1 Alzheimer's model mice to environmental levels of polystyrene nanoplastics and measured Alzheimer's-like pathology progression. Nanoplastics exacerbated cognitive decline, microglial activation, and hippocampal neuronal death, particularly in the Alzheimer's model, with systemic inflammatory effects suggesting plastic particles may accelerate neurodegeneration.
Cerebral to Systemic Representations of Alzheimer’s Pathogenesis Stimulated by Polystyrene Nanoplastics
Researchers found that environmentally realistic levels of polystyrene nanoplastics worsened Alzheimer's disease symptoms in mice, triggering brain inflammation, neuron death, and cognitive decline. The nanoplastics also disrupted metabolism and caused organ damage beyond the brain, including liver and kidney effects. This study provides some of the first evidence that nanoplastic exposure could accelerate brain diseases like Alzheimer's, especially as nanoplastics have been found in human brain tissue.
Toxic Effects of Polylactic Acid Nanoplastics on in Vitro Models of Astrocytes and Neurons
PLA nanoplastics were tested on in vitro astrocyte and neuron models derived from human cells, demonstrating cytotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory activation in both cell types, suggesting that biodegradable plastic nanoplastics pose neurological risks.