Microplastics are everywhere in the environment—from the water we drink to the air we breathe. Scientists have found these tiny plastic particles in human blood, organs, and even the brain, raising concerns about their potential health effects. A recent study in mice found that microplastics in the bloodstream can obstruct tiny blood vessels in the brain, impairing blood flow and driving neurological disorders.

Researchers injected fluorescently labeled microplastics into mice and observed how the particles traveled through brain capillaries. In particular, they focused on how immune cells interacted with microplastics and whether they contributed to vascular blockages.

They found that immune cells engulfed microplastics, driving unintended consequences. These microplastic-laden cells clogged capillaries in the brain, reducing blood flow and triggering neurological impairments in the mice. The blockages resembled tiny blood clots, highlighting a previously unknown way microplastics could harm brain function.

These findings suggest that microplastics contribute to brain dysfunction by indirectly disrupting blood flow rather than directly penetrating brain tissue. Learn more about microplastics and brain health in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.