Researchers at Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) have found that nanoplastics, which are even smaller than microplastics, impair energy metabolism in brain cells. The results were reported in the Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics.
In addition to providing fresh insight into learning and memory problems, their discoveries may help better understand neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by deteriorating neurological or brain function.
Under the direction of Dr. Gavin Davey and Devin Seward, an undergraduate from Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology, the study has identified the precise method via which these tiny nanoplastics might disrupt the brain’s ability to produce energy in an animal model. The results offer new information on the possible health hazards that environmental plastics could pose.
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are formed when larger plastics degrade in the environment. These particles have been found in several organs throughout the body, including the brain, raising worries about their potential role in neurological disease.
The Trinity team focused on mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of cells that produce the energy required for brain activity. Mitochondrial malfunction is a common hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as normal aging.
By separating mitochondria from brain cells, the researchers demonstrated that exposure to PS-NPs selectively damaged the “electron transport chain,” a term for the set of protein complexes that collaborate to make cellular energy in the form of ATP.
Individual mitochondrial complexes I and II were not directly affected; nevertheless, electron transport between complexes I-III and II-III, as well as complex IV activity, was dramatically reduced.
Although some of the PS-NP concentrations used in the study were higher than current estimates of human exposure, the scientists discovered that electron transfer between complex I-III and complex II-III was potently inhibited at much lower concentrations. This implies that environmental exposures could impair bioenergetic function over long periods of time.
Interestingly, the same broad impacts were observed in synaptic mitochondria, which are required for transmission between brain cells. This shows that nanoplastics could potentially interfere with synaptic plasticity, a process essential for learning and memory.
Importantly, the rise of synthetic plastics in the mid-20th century coincided with an increased global exposure to nanoplastics, so this newly discovered mitochondrial mechanism of nanoplastic-induced neurotoxicity may therefore help to explain why rates of neurodegenerative diseases have risen in recent decades, likely adding an environmental dimension to the known genetic and lifestyle risk factors.
Dr. Gavin Davey, Enzymologist, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute
He added, “Our results here show a clear mitochondrial mechanism by which nanoplastics can impair brain energy metabolism. This could therefore have major implications for how environmental pollutants contribute to neurological disease and ageing.”
Devin first conceived of the initiative in 2023 while pursuing a degree in neuroscience. Devin worked at Dr. Davey’s laboratory at the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, which the Laidlaw Foundation funded through a Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership award.
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. It has given me the opportunity to contribute to important research on environmental health at an early stage in my career, and it’s exciting to see our findings published.
Devin Seward, PhD Student, Trinity College Dublin
The study emphasizes the critical need to better understand the health impacts of plastic pollution and the significance of Trinity’s undergraduate-led research funded by the Laidlaw Foundation.
Journal Reference:
Seward, D. M. et al. (2025) Polystyrene nanoplastics target electron transport chain complexes in brain mitochondria. Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics. doi.org/10.1016/j.hazmp.2025.100003
News
GHCE Concept
From the preface of the book Global Health Care Equivalency in the Age of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine and Artificial Intelligence, Edited by Frank Boehm: Since the publication of my first book (Nanomedical Device and Systems [...]
Novartis, Ionis drug failure spurs questions
Pelacarsen didn’t protect heart health despite lowering levels of a protein particle, “Lp(a),” in a large clinical trial — a result with important implications for cardiovascular drug research. Dive Brief: An RNA drug from [...]
New injectable treatment helps the brain rebuild after stroke
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have created an injectable biomaterial that may help the brain recover from damage left behind by an ischemic stroke. In experiments with mice, the material transformed the cavity created [...]
Scientists Discover a Hidden “Immune Organ” Inside the Skull
Researchers discovered lymph node-like immune hubs inside skull bone marrow that appear to act as rapid-response centers for the brain. For decades, the brain was thought to operate largely apart from the immune system. [...]
Engineered tRNAs and lipid nanoparticles target nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis
Researchers have developed a potential new approach for treating a form of cystic fibrosis caused by so-called nonsense mutations, combining chemically modified transfer RNAs with lipid nanoparticles designed to deliver the therapy directly to [...]
New pancreatic cancer drug carries a $39,800 monthly list price
A groundbreaking treatment for one of the most common forms of pancreatic cancer has been approved in pill form by the FDA. Revolution Medicines’ oral tablet daraxonrasib, branded as Rasonque, reduced the risk of [...]
Researchers Have Discovered a New Way To Reduce Chronic Nerve Pain
A cancer-linked protein called BRAF may help drive chronic nerve pain, and existing cancer drugs targeting it reduced pain sensitivity in preclinical models. Chronic nerve pain can persist long after an injury and often [...]
Our books now available worldwide!
Online Sellers other than Amazon, Routledge, and IOPP Indigo Global Health Care Equivalency in the Age of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine and Artifcial Intelligence Global Health Care Equivalency In The Age Of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine And Artificial [...]
Quantum-Enabled Regenerative Health: Reimagining Wellness, Precision Health and Longevity Medicine
Introduction Healthcare is approaching a frontier where the quantum portfolio could influence not only how disease is diagnosed and treated, but how health itself is measured, modeled, predicted and preserved. Quantum computing, quantum simulation, [...]
FDA Clears First-of-Its-Kind Nonmedication Treatment for PTSD
The FDA has cleared a system that uses brain activity data to personalize magnetic stimulation for PTSD, adding a new nonmedication treatment option. Every day in the United States, approximately 17.5 veterans die by suicide, [...]
FDA approves breakthrough drug to treat advanced pancreatic cancer
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on Wednesday a drug that could extend the survival of those with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The drug, called daraxonrasib, will be sold under the brand name Rasonque [...]
AI Decodes a Hidden DNA Signal Linked to Disease-Causing Mutations
Machine learning identifies the likely “initiator” and enables new predictions about DNA mutations that can cause disease. Every human cell depends on tens of thousands of genes being switched on at the right time [...]
Pope Leo Urges Global Response to Congo’s Deadliest Ebola Outbreak
Pope Leo called for international action to address the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The epidemic has claimed over 2,500 lives and is the nation's largest recorded outbreak. The Pope emphasized [...]
Is there a summer COVID-19 surge this year? Yep, it’s ramping up again
Hantavirus. Ebola. West Nile. Measles. And, of course, cyclospora — that stomach parasite making people miserable across the country. Americans have plenty to worry about this summer. But remember COVID-19? It may not be [...]
Natural Compound in Broccoli Could Help Treat a Rare, Incurable Neurological Disease
Swinburne researchers have discovered how broccoli could help treat an extremely rare and incurable disease that affects only about 200 Australians. A naturally occurring compound in broccoli is being investigated as a possible treatment [...]
Antibody recycling, FcRn and the next generation of biologics
FcRn plays a central role in regulating the half-life of IgG antibodies and albumin, making it a critical target in both antibody engineering and autoimmune disease therapy. This article explores the biology of FcRn, [...]
