Microplastic exposure may be tied to Alzheimer’s disease risk: Study

Exposure to micro and nano plastics may be linked to the development of Alzheimers disease according to a study in miceMicro and nano plastics prevalent in the environment routinely enter the human body through the water we drink foods we eat and even the air we breatheThe study led by researchers from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy showed that those plastic particles infiltrate all systems of the body including the brain where they can accumulate and lead to cognitive decline and even Alzheimerrsquos disease especially in those who carry genetic risk factorsThe research follows a previous study that showed how microplastics can infiltrate all systems of the body including the bloodbrain barrier which protects the brain from harmful substances as small as viruses and bacteriaThe new study published in the journal Environmental Research Communications examined mice that had been genetically modified to include the naturally occurring gene APOE4 a strong indicator of Alzheimerrsquos risk making people 35 times more likely to develop the disease than those who carry the APOE3 variant of the gene that is passed from parents to offspringldquoIn these mice like in people itrsquos not a guarantee that yoursquore going to see any changes in cognition You could have identical twins both carrying APOE4 one totally cognitively healthy and the other could develop Alzheimerrsquos diseaserdquo said pharmacy assistant professor Jaime Ross from the varsityldquoSo that tells us therersquos something about lifestyle something about the environment going on There are modifiable factors wersquore studying related to Alzheimerrsquosndashdiet exercise vitamins and especially environmental toxins like microplastics If you carry the APOE4 and you happen to consume a lot of microplastics will this contribute to Alzheimerrsquos diseaserdquo Ross addedThe team then ran the mice through a series of tests to examine their cognitive abilityldquoIn human Alzheimerrsquos patients men tend to experience more changes in apathy they care less Women experience more changes in memory So the memory and the apathy connection are pretty clear When you expose animals that are carrying the largest known risk factor in humans for developing Alzheimerrsquos disease to micro and nanoplastics lo and behold their behaviour changes in a sexdependent manner similar to the sexdependent differences we see with Alzheimerrsquos patientsrdquo Ross saidThe results are concerning enough to warrant further study into the cognitive decline caused by exposure to micro and nanoplastics which are among the most prominent environmental toxins to which people are routinely exposed said the teamThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever