A novel risk factor for dementia: chronic microplastic exposure
Recent advances in dementia research have expanded our understanding of modifiable risk factors, with air pollution being a well-established contributor. However, microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5 mm—represent an understudied component of environmental pollution that may significantly i...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neurology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1581109/full |
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| author | Elif Gecegelen Mete Ucdal Burcu Balam Dogu |
| author_facet | Elif Gecegelen Mete Ucdal Burcu Balam Dogu |
| author_sort | Elif Gecegelen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent advances in dementia research have expanded our understanding of modifiable risk factors, with air pollution being a well-established contributor. However, microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5 mm—represent an understudied component of environmental pollution that may significantly impact neurological health. This review examines emerging evidence linking chronic microplastic exposure to increased dementia risk. Microplastics enter the human body through multiple routes, including ingestion of contaminated food and water, inhalation, and dermal absorption, with demonstrated ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and initiate several pathogenic pathways. Four primary mechanisms appear to mediate microplastic-induced neurodegeneration: increased oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production; neuroinflammation via microglial activation and chronic inflammatory responses; neurotoxicity from transported persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals; and accelerated amyloid-beta pathology through enhanced Aβ40 and Aβ42 nucleation. Recent bioaccumulation studies have revealed significantly elevated microplastic concentrations in the brains of dementia patients compared to non-dementia controls, supporting a potential dose-dependent relationship. Sources of environmental microplastics include industrial waste, synthetic textiles, plastic degradation products, and tire wear particles, creating a ubiquitous exposure risk through contaminated air, food, and water. While preliminary evidence supports a mechanistic link between microplastics and neurodegeneration, comprehensive epidemiological studies with larger datasets are needed to quantify this relationship and establish dose–response patterns. Future research should focus on identifying which microplastic types pose the greatest neurological risks, determining threshold exposure levels, and developing interventions to mitigate exposure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1bd689e574c04b5cac3f0c4fc8f6d5af |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-2295 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neurology |
| spelling | doaj-art-1bd689e574c04b5cac3f0c4fc8f6d5af2025-08-20T03:12:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-05-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15811091581109A novel risk factor for dementia: chronic microplastic exposureElif Gecegelen0Mete Ucdal1Burcu Balam Dogu2Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, TürkiyeDepartment of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, TürkiyeDivision of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, TürkiyeRecent advances in dementia research have expanded our understanding of modifiable risk factors, with air pollution being a well-established contributor. However, microplastics—plastic particles smaller than 5 mm—represent an understudied component of environmental pollution that may significantly impact neurological health. This review examines emerging evidence linking chronic microplastic exposure to increased dementia risk. Microplastics enter the human body through multiple routes, including ingestion of contaminated food and water, inhalation, and dermal absorption, with demonstrated ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and initiate several pathogenic pathways. Four primary mechanisms appear to mediate microplastic-induced neurodegeneration: increased oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production; neuroinflammation via microglial activation and chronic inflammatory responses; neurotoxicity from transported persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals; and accelerated amyloid-beta pathology through enhanced Aβ40 and Aβ42 nucleation. Recent bioaccumulation studies have revealed significantly elevated microplastic concentrations in the brains of dementia patients compared to non-dementia controls, supporting a potential dose-dependent relationship. Sources of environmental microplastics include industrial waste, synthetic textiles, plastic degradation products, and tire wear particles, creating a ubiquitous exposure risk through contaminated air, food, and water. While preliminary evidence supports a mechanistic link between microplastics and neurodegeneration, comprehensive epidemiological studies with larger datasets are needed to quantify this relationship and establish dose–response patterns. Future research should focus on identifying which microplastic types pose the greatest neurological risks, determining threshold exposure levels, and developing interventions to mitigate exposure.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1581109/fulldementiamicroplasticsneuroinflammationoxidative stressblood–brain barrieramyloid-beta aggregation |
| spellingShingle | Elif Gecegelen Mete Ucdal Burcu Balam Dogu A novel risk factor for dementia: chronic microplastic exposure Frontiers in Neurology dementia microplastics neuroinflammation oxidative stress blood–brain barrier amyloid-beta aggregation |
| title | A novel risk factor for dementia: chronic microplastic exposure |
| title_full | A novel risk factor for dementia: chronic microplastic exposure |
| title_fullStr | A novel risk factor for dementia: chronic microplastic exposure |
| title_full_unstemmed | A novel risk factor for dementia: chronic microplastic exposure |
| title_short | A novel risk factor for dementia: chronic microplastic exposure |
| title_sort | novel risk factor for dementia chronic microplastic exposure |
| topic | dementia microplastics neuroinflammation oxidative stress blood–brain barrier amyloid-beta aggregation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1581109/full |
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