Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery on how microplastics affect brain function, finding that tiny pieces of plastic can move through mice brains and block blood vessels, potentially leading to fatal consequences or disrupting brain function. The study, published in a peer-reviewed paper, used real-time imaging to track the movement of plastic particles through the bloodstream and into the brain. The findings suggest that microplastics may reduce blood flow, leading to decreased motor function and impaired cognitive abilities.
The researchers observed that when one piece of plastic got stuck in a blood vessel, others accumulated behind it, creating a “car crash” effect. This phenomenon was seen in mice exposed to microplastics, which showed decreased motor function and poor performance on memory tests. The study’s authors stressed that while the findings are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the health risks posed by microplastics in human blood.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/11/microplastics-mice-brains