Study Links Microplastics to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Risks

Research has revealed potential connections between microplastics and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. A systematic review titled “Do microplastics play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases? Shared pathophysiological pathways for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease” was recently published in the journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. The study highlights the urgent need to address the impact of microplastics on human health.

Co-author and associate professor Kamal Dua, a pharmaceutical scientist at the University of Technology Sydney, emphasized that adults consume approximately 250 grams of microplastics each year, enough to cover a dinner plate. Although the body generally clears most of these plastics, research indicates that some may accumulate in vital organs, including the brain.

Microplastics enter the human body through various everyday sources, including processed foods, plastic cutting boards, contaminated seafood, and beverages in plastic bottles. They are also present in synthetic textiles, such as carpets and clothing. The study examined five primary pathways through which microplastics may adversely affect brain health: by triggering immune cell activity, generating oxidative stress, disrupting the blood-brain barrier, damaging neurons, and impairing mitochondria, the energy-producing structures within cells.

“The body treats microplastics as foreign intruders, which prompts the brain’s immune cells to attack them,” Dua explained in a press release. He added that when the brain is exposed to stressors like toxins or environmental pollutants, it can lead to increased oxidative stress.

The research also explored how microplastics could contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, they may trigger the accumulation of tau proteins and beta-amyloid, which are associated with the formation of plaques in the brain. In Parkinson’s disease, microplastics may lead to the aggregation of alpha-synuclein, a protein primarily found in the brain, and damage to dopaminergic neurons, which are essential for producing and releasing dopamine.

Co-author Keshav Raj Paudel urged individuals to reconsider their plastic use. “We need to change our habits and use less plastic,” he stated. He recommended avoiding plastic containers and cutting boards, opting for natural fibers instead of synthetic ones, and reducing the consumption of processed and packaged foods.

As researchers continue to uncover the implications of microplastics on health, it becomes increasingly clear that addressing plastic pollution is critical. The findings of this study not only shed light on the potential risks posed by microplastics but also highlight the need for lifestyle changes that could mitigate these threats.