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Microplastics & Their Effects

January 2nd, 2025

Microplastics
& Their
Effects

Microplastics have become a major concern for our environment and our bodies, and a groundbreaking new study shows the devastating effects they pose to our brain

A groundbreaking study from the Ryan Institute for Neuroscience has uncovered alarming insights into
how microplastics affect the body, particularly the brain. Led by Professor Jaime Ross, the research
revealed that microplastics can penetrate the blood-brain barrier—long considered an impenetrable shield protecting the brain from harmful substances such as viruses and bacteria. “We were very surprised to see that,” said Ross. “The brain blood barrier is supposed to be very difficult to permeate. It is a protective mechanism against viruses and bacteria, yet these particles were able to get there. It was actually deep in the brain tissue.”

In the recent study, the Ross lab had significant findings in just three weeks of exposure to microplastics infused through drinking water. They discovered that not only did these particles begin to bioaccumulate
in every organ, including the brain, but also that the mice in the study exhibited behaviors akin to dementia in humans. “To us, this was striking,” says Ross. “These were not high doses of microplastics,
but in only a short period of time, we saw these changes.”

“The brain blood barrier is supposed to be very difficult to permeate. It is a protective
mechanism against viruses and bacteria, yet these particles were able to get there. It was actually deep in
the brain tissue.”

- Professor Jaime Ross, Ryan Institute for Neuroscience

While the team anticipated some level of inflammation due to the exposure, they were surprised to find a decrease in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a critical protein involved in maintaining cellular processes in the brain. “A decrease in GFAP has been associated with early stages of some neurodegenerative diseases, including mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as depression,” says Ross. “We were very surprised to see that the microplastics could induce altered GFAP signaling.”
She intends to investigate this finding further in future work. “We want to understand how plastics may change the ability for the brain to maintain its homeostasis or how exposure may lead to neurological disorders and diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease,” she says.

These findings further underscore the pervasive threat of microplastics, which are present in our drinking water, food, personal care products, and even the air we breathe. While their prevalence is daunting,
there are many practical steps we can take to reduce our exposure:

● Use glass or stainless steel containers for food and beverages instead of plastic
● Avoid heating food in plastic containers; use metal cooking utensils and glass, cast-iron or
stainless steel pots and pans for cooking; avoid using teflon-coated pans
● Opt for personal care products that do not contain plastic-derived ingredients
● Filter tap water to remove microplastics
● Choose natural fabrics like cotton, silk, linen, or wool over synthetic clothing
● Reduce consumption of processed foods, which often have higher plastic contamination

We can also advocate for less plastic use and inform others on the negative effects of plastics and the many alternatives we have. Our bodies - and our minds - depend on the gradual elimination of plastics from the prevalence they have in our environment now. Furthermore, keeping our bodies healthy by exercising, eating healthy, consuming immune-boosting supplements and keeping our stress levels to a minimum can help our bodies fight and tolerate foreign invaders better.

To read more on the study conducted by the Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, visit
https://ryaninstitute.uri.edu/microplastics/

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