Researchers have discovered that microplastics are accumulating in human brains at unprecedented levels, with concentrations increasing significantly over the last decade. A study published in Nature Medicine found that plastic fragments in brain tissue have surged by 50% since 2016.
Scientists analyzed brain, liver, and kidney tissue from autopsies conducted between 2016 and 2024, finding that microplastics were seven to 30 times more concentrated in the brain than in other organs. Some individuals had plastic levels equal in weight to a plastic spoon.
The study also found that people with dementia had far higher concentrations of microplastics in their brains than those without cognitive impairments. While this does not confirm that plastics cause dementia, researchers say the connection warrants further investigation.
Microplastics, which come from the breakdown of consumer products like plastic bottles and synthetic clothing, have been detected in human blood and lungs. The discovery that they can pass through the blood-brain barrier raises concerns about their potential effects on neurological health.
Among the 12 types of plastics found in the brain, polyethylene was the most common. Researchers noted that the plastic fragments in brain tissue were unusually sharp and jagged, rather than smooth like previously observed microplastics.
With plastic production continuing to rise worldwide, scientists are urging further research into how microplastics impact brain function and whether policies should be introduced to reduce exposure.
