Microplastics have been shown to traverse the brains of mice, potentially obstructing blood vessels in a manner akin to blood clots, which could be life-threatening or impair cognitive functions. According to a recent report, the details are outlined in a peer-reviewed study that utilized real-time imaging for the first time to observe how plastic particles navigate through and accumulate in the cerebral vascular system. The researchers noted that when one particle became lodged in a blood vessel, others would pile up behind it, resembling a “traffic accident,” as described by the authors.

The investigation also revealed that mice exposed to microplastics showed reduced motor skills, indicating possible neurological effects. While there is increasing evidence linking microplastics to neurotoxicity, this study is pioneering in illustrating the mechanism—likely a decrease in blood flow. “This discovery provides a framework for understanding the toxicological effects of microplastics entering the bloodstream,” remarked the authors from Peking University.