Mineralogy of the human brain: a review
<p>The human brain can both synthesize minerals in situ and accumulate exogenous phases from the surrounding environment. Some of the biogenic phases may represent evolutionary remains, whereas others are crucial for many physiological functions of the neurological system. Yet an excess concen...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Mineralogy |
| Online Access: | https://ejm.copernicus.org/articles/37/279/2025/ejm-37-279-2025.pdf |
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| author | G. P. Servetto C. M. Root R. Gieré R. Gieré R. Vigliaturo R. Vigliaturo |
| author_facet | G. P. Servetto C. M. Root R. Gieré R. Gieré R. Vigliaturo R. Vigliaturo |
| author_sort | G. P. Servetto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>The human brain can both synthesize minerals in situ and accumulate exogenous phases from the surrounding environment. Some of the biogenic phases may represent evolutionary remains, whereas others are crucial for many physiological functions of the neurological system. Yet an excess concentration of these minerals in the brain may be a precursor and/or a consequence of several neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In this regard, there is very little in the literature that is focused on the minerals and mineraloids present in the human brain and on their physicochemical state. The gap in the literature is particularly wide for nanoscale and sub-nanoscale compounds. This review compiles the most significant research on minerals and mineraloids in the brain, the related neurodegenerative diseases, and their relationship with urban pollution. Here, we describe the strong link between neurodegenerative diseases and the presence of biogenic and exogenous minerals and mineraloids. Additionally, we highlight the importance of medical mineralogy for investigating diseases related to such phases. Future research must focus on not only the mineralogical characterization of particles in the brain but also the alteration and transformation of these particles in specific media and different locations in human brain cells and tissues. Further studies should attempt to perform nanoscale to atomic-scale characterization of the structure, the surface, the valence state, and the electrical and magnetic fields of the particles of interest.</p> |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ed6c3276ae804cd39b7f5527ca32d528 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0935-1221 1617-4011 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Mineralogy |
| spelling | doaj-art-ed6c3276ae804cd39b7f5527ca32d5282025-08-20T02:28:19ZengCopernicus PublicationsEuropean Journal of Mineralogy0935-12211617-40112025-04-013727930410.5194/ejm-37-279-2025Mineralogy of the human brain: a reviewG. P. Servetto0C. M. Root1R. Gieré2R. Gieré3R. Vigliaturo4R. Vigliaturo5Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, ItalyDepartment of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesDepartment of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesCenter of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, ItalyInterdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates “G. Scansetti”, University of Torino, Torino, Italy<p>The human brain can both synthesize minerals in situ and accumulate exogenous phases from the surrounding environment. Some of the biogenic phases may represent evolutionary remains, whereas others are crucial for many physiological functions of the neurological system. Yet an excess concentration of these minerals in the brain may be a precursor and/or a consequence of several neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In this regard, there is very little in the literature that is focused on the minerals and mineraloids present in the human brain and on their physicochemical state. The gap in the literature is particularly wide for nanoscale and sub-nanoscale compounds. This review compiles the most significant research on minerals and mineraloids in the brain, the related neurodegenerative diseases, and their relationship with urban pollution. Here, we describe the strong link between neurodegenerative diseases and the presence of biogenic and exogenous minerals and mineraloids. Additionally, we highlight the importance of medical mineralogy for investigating diseases related to such phases. Future research must focus on not only the mineralogical characterization of particles in the brain but also the alteration and transformation of these particles in specific media and different locations in human brain cells and tissues. Further studies should attempt to perform nanoscale to atomic-scale characterization of the structure, the surface, the valence state, and the electrical and magnetic fields of the particles of interest.</p>https://ejm.copernicus.org/articles/37/279/2025/ejm-37-279-2025.pdf |
| spellingShingle | G. P. Servetto C. M. Root R. Gieré R. Gieré R. Vigliaturo R. Vigliaturo Mineralogy of the human brain: a review European Journal of Mineralogy |
| title | Mineralogy of the human brain: a review |
| title_full | Mineralogy of the human brain: a review |
| title_fullStr | Mineralogy of the human brain: a review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mineralogy of the human brain: a review |
| title_short | Mineralogy of the human brain: a review |
| title_sort | mineralogy of the human brain a review |
| url | https://ejm.copernicus.org/articles/37/279/2025/ejm-37-279-2025.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gpservetto mineralogyofthehumanbrainareview AT cmroot mineralogyofthehumanbrainareview AT rgiere mineralogyofthehumanbrainareview AT rgiere mineralogyofthehumanbrainareview AT rvigliaturo mineralogyofthehumanbrainareview AT rvigliaturo mineralogyofthehumanbrainareview |