As reported by IZ with reference to Science News, the fascinating results of a new study show how microplastics gradually penetrate the human brain, which raises serious concerns about its impact on health. Scientists who studied brain samples from people who have died since 1997 found a significant increase in the level of microplastics in brain tissue over the past few years. From 2016 to 2024, the average level of microplastics in the samples increased by 50%. The discovery of microplastics in the brain raises questions about their potential danger to human health, especially in the context of chronic diseases such as dementia. It is known that these microscopic plastic particles, based on polyethylene, can have an unpredictable shape and composition, which may be more harmful than previously thought.
This study, which uses several methods to measure microplastics in the body, confirms that these particles are indeed able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, a shocking discovery. Microplastics enter the body through various routes: through food, water and air, and their accumulation in brain tissue is a serious concern. In particular, higher concentrations of microplastics have been found in people diagnosed with dementia, which may indicate that they may have a negative impact on brain function.
However, it is worth noting that to date, scientists cannot give a definitive answer about how microplastics affect humans. The problem is that due to their microscopic size, these particles cannot be easily eliminated from the body, and researchers do not have clear methods to determine their long-term effects. However, high levels of microplastics in the brain require more detailed study, as this issue affects the possible damage that these materials can cause to brain cells.
Recall, we previously wrote that the Earth's underground biosphere exceeded scientists' expectations thanks to unique microorganisms.