Microplastics Found in Human Brain Tissue at Increasing Levels

New research reveals a 50% rise in brain microplastic concentrations since 2016, with potential links to dementia and other health risks.

A study published in *Nature Medicine* found microplastics in human brain tissue at levels significantly higher than in other organs like the liver and kidneys.
Microplastic levels in the brain have increased by approximately 50% between 2016 and 2024, correlating with rising global plastic production.
Researchers observed that brain tissue from dementia patients contained up to 10 times more microplastics than tissue from individuals without dementia, though a causal link has not been established.
The study identified sharp, shard-like nanoplastics in the brain, small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier, but their exact pathways into the brain remain unknown.
Scientists emphasize the need for further research into the health effects of microplastics in the brain and strategies to reduce exposure.