NextFin news, Researchers at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) announced on Monday that their study found nanoplastics can damage mitochondria in brain cells, potentially contributing to the rise in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The research was conducted at TCD's School of Biochemistry and Immunology in Dublin, Ireland.
The study was led by undergraduate student Devin Seward and Dr. Gavin Davey. Seward conceived the project in 2023 while studying neuroscience, and the research was supported by the Laidlaw Foundation. The findings were published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics.
Nanoplastics, specifically polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs), are tiny plastic particles produced when larger plastics break down in the environment. These particles are smaller than microplastics and have been detected in various organs, including the brain, raising concerns about their health impacts.
To investigate the effects of nanoplastics on brain function, the researchers isolated mitochondria from rat brain tissue. Mitochondria are essential for producing cellular energy, and their dysfunction is a known feature of neurodegenerative diseases. The team discovered that exposure to PS-NPs disrupted the electron transport chain, a critical protein complex responsible for generating ATP, the cell's energy currency.
Dr. Davey told The Irish Times, "We were surprised at how potent the effect was. The nanoplastics seemed to target the electron transport chain, a key part of the mitochondria's energy production process." The study also found that nanoplastics impaired communication between brain cells, which is vital for learning and memory.
The researchers noted that the rise in synthetic plastics since the mid-20th century has coincided with increased global exposure to nanoplastics. This newly identified mitochondrial mechanism of nanoplastic-induced neurotoxicity may help explain the recent increase in neurodegenerative disease rates, adding an environmental dimension alongside genetic and lifestyle risk factors.
Seward, now pursuing a PhD in neuropharmacology at TCD, said, "Coming up with this idea and then being able to develop it in Dr. Davey's lab with the support of the Laidlaw Foundation has been an incredible experience."
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