Microplastics May Drive Brain Changes Linked to Parkinson's, Review Finds

A review of 100+ studies links microplastics and nanoplastics to brain pathways involved in Parkinson's disease, suggesting these pollutants can enter the body via ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact and reach the brain to promote alpha-synuclein clumps and neuroinflammation, as well as disrupt gut-brain communication and ferry metals; however, most evidence comes from animal/cell studies and human data are limited, so more research is needed alongside reducing plastic pollution and improving waste management.