As plastic production and environmental accumulation continue to rise worldwide, nanoplastics have become detectable in water, air, soil, food, animals, and human tissues, including the brain. Moreover, recent reports suggest that infants and young children may be exposed to more micro- and nanoplastics than adults and yet, little is known about how plastics may affect the developing brain.

To address this gap, we expose human neural progenitor cells and neurons to nanoplastics at different concentrations. We then examine the physiological, structural, and transcriptional effects of this exposure, building a picture of how this ubiquitous pollutant may affect early human brain development.

Led by:
Autumn Hudock, ABD
PhD Candidate – Department of Anthropology, UC San Diego