A team of researchers from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences has made a groundbreaking discovery in neuropathology, finding microplastics in human brains with alarming concentrations. The study, led by toxicologist Matthew Campen, PhD, reveals that plastic particles have lodged themselves throughout the brain, surpassing previous reports for other organs.
According to Elaine Bearer, MD, PhD, a neurologist at UNM, the discovery was made while studying tissue samples from two deceased dementia patients. Initially, pathologists struggled to identify tiny brown lumps in the microscope images, but collaboration with colleagues led to the isolation and identification of microplastics.
The team found that the concentrations of plastic particles in the brain were significantly higher than in other organs such as the liver or kidney, and increased by 50% over just eight years. This raises concerns about the impact of microplastic accumulation on human health, particularly for individuals with dementia pathology.
While the study’s findings are intriguing, Bearer emphasizes that it is too early to determine causality. Further research is needed to understand how microplastics accumulate in the brain and whether they contribute to dementia symptoms. The researchers hope to explore additional brain tissue samples and develop diagnostic methods using magnetic resonance imaging.
Source: https://hsc.unm.edu/news/2025/02/hsc-newsroom-post-mircoplastics-elaine-bearer.html