Latest news with #neurologicalDiseases
Medscape
03-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Apheresis May Sweep Microplastics From Veins
Microplastics are particles ranging from 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters in diameter, and nanoplastics, which are even smaller, are found in virtually every environment on Earth, from mountain peaks to ocean depths, and from the smallest animals in the food chain to human brain cells. These particles can originate from the breakdown of larger plastic items or be intentionally manufactured for use in products, such as cosmetics, synthetic fabrics, and pharmaceuticals. Recent studies suggest that the human brain may contain up to a teaspoon of microplastics and nanoplastics, with the tiniest fragments primarily composed of polyethylene, the same material commonly used in plastic bags and food packaging. These particles have been detected in areas such as the walls of blood vessels in the brain and within immune cells. However, it remains unclear whether microplastics contribute to the progression of neurological diseases or whether these conditions render the brain more susceptible to particle infiltration. In animal studies involving fish and rodents, prolonged exposure to nanoplastics has been linked to memory impairment, brain inflammation, and alterations in synaptic protein levels. Beyond the brain, microplastics have been found in human feces, arterial plaques, and even the placenta. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine linked the presence of microplastics in the arteries to a heightened risk for heart attack, stroke, and overall mortality. Therapeutic Apheresis According to a preliminary study published in Brain Medicine by researchers at Technische Universität Dresden in Dresden, Germany, therapeutic apheresis, a medical procedure that filters tiny particles from the blood, may help remove microplastics from the human body. The technique can capture particles as small as 200 nanometers, which is approximately 5000 times smaller than a millimeter. In this study, the researchers evaluated the procedure in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. They analyzed the waste fluid discarded during apheresis using a specialized infrared spectroscopy technique. The analysis detected substances that matched the chemical signatures of polyamide and polyurethane, two common types of industrial plastics. This suggests that microplastics may have been successfully removed from the blood of patients during the procedure. Notably, this study did not measure the total amount of microplastics removed or compare their levels in patients before and after apheresis. What has been demonstrated so far is the presence of microplastics in the waste material discarded by the device — an observation that suggests, but does not yet confirm, the effective removal of these substances from the human body. Researchers have cautioned that the detected materials may reflect chemical structures common to proteins, meaning that further analysis is required to verify the exact nature of the removed particles. Nonetheless, the findings offer hope to researchers seeking to address the growing accumulation of microplastics in the human body. The authors recommended conducting studies with larger groups and quantitative analyses comparing the levels of microplastics in the blood before and after the procedures. The authors concluded that 'such analyses will help determine particle removal from blood and tissues and assess correlations with symptom improvement in conditions like myalgia encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.' Alternative Approaches Currently, evidence that microplastics are effectively removed from the human body after ingestion is limited. A 2011 study examined bisphenol A (BPA) levels in blood, sweat, and urine samples from 20 individuals. In 16 cases, BPA appeared only in sweat, suggesting that induced perspiration may help eliminate certain compounds from the body. However, more studies are needed to assess its long-term safety and efficacy. 'That is why we focus on reducing exposure to microplastics in the first place,' said Nicholas Fabiano, MD, a psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and co-author of a related article in Brain Medicine . The challenge of this research began with tracking the effects of microplastic particles. 'From a clinical perspective, it is very difficult to establish a direct link between exposure to microplastics and adverse health outcomes,' said Fabiano. To address this, he advocated the creation of new tools to measure dietary risks, such as a dietary microplastic index. 'We propose the development of a Dietary Microplastic Index that could be integrated with existing dietary risk assessment tools to estimate microplastic exposure based on the types of food consumed,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
16-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
The little-known link between climate change and brain health
People with neurological diseases are at risk of seeing their symptoms worsen as a result of climate change. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : The link between brain health and climate disruption was recently highlighted in a 16-minute mini-documentary shared online last month by FutureNeuro @ the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science, based in the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Produced in partnership with the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), the film explains that over three billion people worldwide are living with neurological disorders. Research has already established a link between rising temperatures and an exacerbation of the symptoms of certain neurological diseases sensitive to temperature variations. This is the case, for example, with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of childhood epilepsy, in which a sudden rise in temperature is likely to lead to more frequent seizures, as well as altered brain function. Professor Sanjay Sisodiya, chair of the ILAE Climate Change Commission, explained: 'The brain is key to our response to challenges from our surroundings, and many parts of the brain are sensitive to the temperature at which they have to work. 'As a result, if the brain is already affected by disease, it may be more vulnerable to the challenges posed by the effects of climate change. 'As climate change continues to worsen, it is essential that we pay attention to its effects on people with neurological conditions all around the world.' The professor of neurology at University College London is also the author of a study published in 2024 in The Lancet Neurology, which shows that extreme temperatures – whether low or high – are likely to exacerbate disorders linked to 19 neurological diseases, including dementia, epilepsy and migraine. AI tools to identify at-risk populations Through patient testimonials, the documentary highlights the difficulties people with neurological pathologies can encounter on a daily basis, such as the inability to leave the house in the event of a heatwave and the social isolation that can ensue. Extreme temperatures can also disrupt medical supply chains, damaging cold-stored medicines and hindering access to healthcare. As ILAE president J Helen Cross notes: 'Climate change is one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time, and its impact on people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions is becoming increasingly clear. 'This film is a powerful step towards placing neurological health firmly within the climate conversation.' Beyond its primary aim of raising awareness for a phenomenon of which many people are still largely unaware, the documentary aims to encourage the funding and development of more advanced scientific research on the subject. One way to better understand the link between brain health and rising temperatures linked to climate change is to capitalise on imaging and genetic technologies, including AI-driven predictive models to identify at-risk populations and develop targeted interventions. 'New imaging and genetic technologies allow us to learn more about the brain's temperature control systems, and how this is altered in conditions such as epilepsy,' said FutureNeuro director David Henshall, a professor of molecular physiology and neuroscience at RCSI. 'Understanding these mechanisms could open the door to new treatments or preventative strategies, helping to reduce the impact of heat on seizure risk.'
