Microplastics in the Olfactory Bulb of the Human Brain | Environmental Health | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network
▻https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823787
Question Can microplastics reach the olfactory bulb in the human brain?
Findings This case series analyzed the olfactory bulbs of 15 deceased individuals via micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and detected the presence of microplastics in the olfactory bulbs of 8 individuals. The predominant shapes were particles and fibers, with polypropylene being the most common polymer.
Meaning The presence of microplastics in the human olfactory bulb suggests the olfactory pathway as a potential entry route for microplastics into the brain, highlighting the need for further research on their neurotoxic effects and implications for human health.