The plastic brain part II: new insights into micro- and nanoplastics neurotoxicity.

We are pleased to announce the publication of our latest review article, “The plastic brain part II: new insights into micro- and nanoplastics neurotoxicity”, in the journal Microplastics and Nanoplastics.

Micro- and nanoplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, and because human exposure is unavoidable, there is growing interest in understanding their potential impacts on the nervous system. This review synthesizes findings from rodent and in vitro studies, examining how particle type, size, concentration, and exposure duration influence neurotoxic outcomes.

Key findings highlighted in the review include evidence of:

• Uptake and accumulation of MNPs in neural tissues,
• Cytotoxic effects and structural alterations,
• Increased oxidative stress and neuroinflammation,
• Altered acetylcholinesterase activity and neurotransmission,
• Changes in neuronal proliferation and differentiation processes,
• Neurobehavioral changes,
• Potential roles of MNPs as carriers for (environmental) pollutants.

The review also identifies significant knowledge gaps and provides recommendations for future research, especially to improve hazard and risk assessment of micro- and nanoplastics in relation to neurotoxicity.

The article is open access and available here:
👉 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s43591-025-00161-6