Turkish Neurosurgery
Neurotoxicity of Microplastic Particles in the Human Brain: A Systematic Review |
Sait KAYHAN1, Ecma YILMAZ2, Özkan TEHLİ1, Yusuf İZCİ1 |
1University of Health Sciences, Gulhane School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, 2University of Health Sciences, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara, |
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.47512-24.2 |
Aim : This study systematically reviewed the existing literature on the neurotoxic effects of microplastics (MPs) on the brain.
Material and Methods : This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The following keywords were used for the literature search microplastics and human brain in PubMed and microplastics, health, and neurotoxicity in Web of Science. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials.
Results : We identified 72 records from the databases and 12 records from the citation search. After exclusion, 11 records were included in this review, which revealed various effects of MPs on the human body at the molecular, cellular, and clinical levels. We observed that oxidative stress and energy disruption are the main toxic effects of MPs; in addition, they can induce neuroinflammation, alter biochemical pathways such as amino acids and neurotransmission, and cause cell death.
Conclusion : MPs are a significant global health problem. With the widespread use and accumulation of plastic materials, MPs can reach the nervous system and exert neurotoxic effects manifesting in behavioral and cognitive changes. The current evidence is insufficient to delineate the possible long-term outcomes of MP exposure. Further clinical studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these neurotoxic effects.
KEYWORDS: Microplastics, Neurotoxicity, Brain, Health, Memory
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Corresponding author : Sait KAYHAN