Microplastics are accumulating in human brains at an alarming rate, according to a new study that found plastic levels in brain tissue have risen by 50% over the past eight years. Scientists say the findings raise new questions about how these particles may affect neurological health.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, analyzed autopsy samples from 2016 and 2024. Researchers discovered that microplastics were present in every brain sample they examined, with some containing plastic fragments weighing as much as a plastic spoon. Brain tissue had seven to 30 times higher concentrations of microplastics than the liver and kidneys.
The research also found that individuals with dementia had far higher levels of plastic particles in their brains than those without cognitive impairments. Although the study does not prove that microplastics contribute to dementia, scientists say the connection is concerning.
Microplastics come from the degradation of plastic products such as bottles, containers, and synthetic textiles. These tiny particles have already been detected in human lungs, blood, and placentas. The discovery that they can cross the blood-brain barrier suggests they could be influencing brain function.
Among the 12 types of plastic identified in the brain, polyethylene was the most common. Scientists were surprised to find that the plastic fragments in brain tissue were sharp, jagged shards rather than smooth particles, raising questions about how they might interact with neural cells.
With plastic pollution continuing to grow worldwide, researchers are calling for urgent studies to determine the long-term health risks of microplastic accumulation in the brain.
