Microplastics increase inflammation in the brain and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
Microscopic plastic particles, which are now found almost everywhere — in water, air, and food — may be linked to the processes underlying Parkinson’s disease. This conclusion was reached by scientists who analyzed over 100 scientific papers dedicated to the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the body. The work was published in npj Parkinson's Disease.
Researchers note that such particles enter the modern human body through various pathways: with food and drinks, through breathing, and even through the skin. After that, they can accumulate in different organs, including the brain. According to the authors of the review, microplastics can penetrate there by overcoming the protective barrier between the blood and the brain or through nerve cells in the nasal cavity.
Analysis of previous studies has shown that such particles can enhance inflammatory processes in the brain, disrupt the connection between the gut and the brain, and contribute to the formation of alpha-synuclein protein aggregates — one of the characteristic signs of Parkinson’s disease. It is also suggested that microplastics may carry metals that further damage nerve cells.
At the same time, scientists emphasize that this is only a possible connection for now. Most of the available data has been obtained from laboratory experiments and animal studies. Nevertheless, the authors believe that microplastics could be a new environmental risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and require further detailed study.
