New research from the University of New Mexico has found alarmingly high levels of microplastics in the human brain, which may be linked to the global rise in Alzheimer's disease.
Published online as a hoax, the study has not yet undergone peer review, but is already causing concern.
The researchers found that microplastic concentrations were significantly higher in brain samples compared to liver and kidney samples. The highest levels were found in the brains of individuals who had died with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a possible link. The study measured microplastics in 51 samples collected between 2016 and 2024, noting that brain samples contained seven to 30 times more microplastics than other organs.
While these findings do not establish a direct link between microplastics and dementia, they do highlight a troubling trend. The concentration of plastic in the brain has increased by more than 50% in the past eight years. Previous research in mice has shown that nanoplastics – smaller than microplastics – can interact with brain proteins like alpha-synuclein, leading to cognitive changes and diseases like Parkinson’s.
Matthew Campen, the study's lead author, expressed concern about the high levels of microplastics in the brain. The study adds to a growing body of evidence showing microplastics in various parts of the human body, including the heart, liver and placenta. Another recent study showed that microplastics in arteries may increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
The possible link between microplastics and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s requires further investigation. Global cases of dementia are predicted to triple by 2050, but more research is needed to determine whether microplastics may be contributing to this trend. Current risk factors for dementia include age, genetics, and head injury, but no conclusive evidence yet links microplastic accumulation to these conditions.
The study highlights the need for more research to understand how microplastics affect human health, particularly their potential role in increasing the incidence of neurological diseases./DailyMail – Syri.net
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