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This study looked for microplastics and nanoplastics (millionths and billionths of a metre in size) in the brain and liver, and found significantly higher concentrations in brain samples from 2024 than from 2016. The samples were often described as “shard-like”, or “flakes”. Higher concentrations of micro and nano plastics were found in those with dementia, although the sample size of brains with dementia, and the authors do not suggest that one necessarily causes the other. It is a potential avenue for further research.
The most common plastic found was polyethylene. That doesn’t make polyethylene more dangerous necessarily, it’s one of the most common plastics.
The study doesn’t attempt to say that these microplastics are the cause of any problems, just that they are present and further research should be done to determine any effects.
Prof Gary Hardiman, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, said:
“This study provides compelling evidence of the pervasive presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in human tissues, highlighting a worrying trend of increasing concentrations over time, particularly in the brain. Interestingly, these plastics are not confined by age, gender, or health status, indicating widespread environmental exposure. The significant association of higher plastic concentrations in the brains of individuals with dementia suggests a potential link that warrants urgent further investigation. While the study employs robust state of the art methods to detect these particles, its findings are primarily associative and highlight the critical need for refined analytical techniques and expanded research to fully understand the health implications of plastic accumulation in human tissues. As micro and nanoplastics increasingly become recognised as a significant environmental concern, this study highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution as a crucial public health issue.”
‘Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains’ by Nihart et al, was published in Nature Medicine at 16:00 Irish time Friday 3rd February 2025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03453-1
Declaration of interest:
Prof Hardiman: “I am a co-founder of Altomics Datamation whose mission is dedicated to transforming proteomics research and advancing precision medicine and is not doing any plastics research.”