Microplastics trigger dementia-like behavior changes: study
Life with plastic is not fantastic.
A study published this month in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that microplastics spread through the body and cause worrying behavioral changes.
Tiny particles of plastic less than 5 millimeters long — or about the size of a pencil eraser — are among the most common and pervasive pollutants on the planet, ending up in air, water and food.
Now, research has shown that microplastics enter the body as much as they enter the environment.
Scientists from the University of Rhode Island exposed young and old mice to different amounts of microplastics in their drinking water for three weeks.
The researchers noticed that the animals began to move act “special”. exhibit behavior resembling dementia in humans.
Older animals seemed to be most affected.
“For us, that was noticeable. These weren’t high doses of microplastics, but over a short period of time we saw these changes,” lead researcher Jaime Ross said in a statement.
After dissecting the animals, the researchers found that the particles accumulated in every organ, including the brain and in body waste.
Because the microplastic was ingested through the mouth, it was expected to be found in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys – but its spread to other tissues was shocking.
“However, the detection of microplastics in tissues such as the heart and lungs suggests that the microplastics travel beyond the digestive system and likely enter the systemic circulation,” explained Ross.
“The blood barrier of the brain is said to be very difficult to penetrate. It is a protective mechanism against viruses and bacteria, but these particles could still penetrate there. It was actually deep in brain tissue.”
The experts noted that penetration of the microplastic into brain tissue could lead to a reduction in glial fibrillary acidic protein, which supports cellular processes in the brain.
“Decreases in GFAP have been associated with early stages of some neurodegenerative diseases, including mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as depression,” Ross shared.
“We were very surprised to see that the microplastic could induce altered GFAP signaling.”
As some states, including New York, move to ban certain plastics, research into their lasting effects continues.
Studies have shown that microplastics can get into the human heart and be transmitted from pregnant women to their fetuses.
