MICROPLASTICS IMPACT BRAIN FUNCTION AND BLOOD CIRCULATION

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH

Recent studies have raised concerns about the effects of microplastics on brain function. Research published in Science Advances reveals that microplastics may obstruct blood circulation, leading to impaired cognitive abilities. These findings, derived from experiments on mice, underscore the need to explore their implications for human health.

Key Points:

• What Are Microplastics?
  • Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters.
  • They result from the degradation of larger plastic items and manufactured plastic pellets.
  • These particles are found everywhere—oceans, soil, and even in remote areas like Antarctic ice.
  • Humans can ingest or inhale microplastics.
• Mechanisms of Impact on the Brain:
  • Advanced imaging techniques allowed researchers to track microplastics in the mouse brain.
  • The particles lodged in blood vessels in the cerebral cortex, crucial for cognitive functions.
  • Immune cells engulfed the microplastics, blocking blood vessels and impairing blood flow.
• Effects on Cognitive Function:
  • Obstructed blood flow led to cognitive impairments in the test subjects.
  • Mice displayed neurobehavioural issues resembling depressive states and weight loss, likely linked to changes in feeding behavior.
  • The findings suggest a direct connection between microplastic exposure and neurological health.
• Routes of Brain Interaction:
  • Previous research identified two main routes for microplastics’ impact on brain function:
    1. Through peripheral organs, indirectly affecting neural activity.
    2. Crossing the blood-brain barrier.
  • The current study introduces a third mechanism: direct obstruction of blood flow.
• Implications for Human Health:
  • While the study provides valuable insights, researchers caution against directly applying findings from mice to humans.
  • Differences in immune systems, blood volume, and vascular structures may affect outcomes.
  • The internal diameter of human coronary arteries is about 4 mm, compared to much smaller diameters in mice, making it uncertain if microplastics can cause similar obstructions in humans.