In a study published in Science Advances led by Duke University researchers, a disturbing connection between nanoplastics and a specific brain protein associated with Parkinson’s disease and certain forms of dementia has been unveiled, spotlighting the potential influence of environmental factors on neurological health.
“Parkinson’s disease has emerged as one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders worldwide. While environmental factors seem pivotal, identifying specific influences has been a challenge,” emphasized Andrew West, Ph.D., lead investigator and professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Duke University School of Medicine.
Improper disposal of plastics leads to their fragmentation into minuscule particles, accumulating in water, food supplies, and even the bloodstream of a significant percentage of adults, as shown in recent studies.
“Our findings underscore the potential threat posed by the growing presence of micro and nanoplastics in the environment, potentially escalating the risk and progression of Parkinson’s disease,” cautioned West. “This concern magnifies as we anticipate a surge in these pollutants within our food and water sources.”
The study highlighted that polystyrene nanoparticles, commonly found in disposable items like cups and cutlery, attract the buildup of alpha-synuclein, a protein implicated in Parkinson’s disease. Remarkably, the study revealed robust bonding between the plastic and protein within neurons’ lysosomes, where these accumulations manifest, across diverse experimental models.
“While our models demonstrated significant plastic-protein interactions, uncertainties linger regarding their implications in humans and the potential role of specific plastic types,” elucidated West.
Emphasizing the urgency of evaluating nanoplastic prevalence in relation to Parkinson’s disease and dementia risk, West underscored that current monitoring technologies are in their infancy.
The study received funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s initiative (ASAP-020527).
Source:
Duke University Medical Center
Journal reference:
Liu, Z., et al. (2023) Anionic nanoplastic contaminants promote Parkinson’s disease–associated α-synuclein aggregation. Science Advances. doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adi8716.