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A case-control study linking concentrations of microplastics in human cerebrospinal fluid to intracranial aneurysm

Zebin Fang1, Xiaoyi Wang1, Fan Wu1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, PR China.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|February 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Microplastics (MPs) in cerebrospinal fluid are linked to increased intracranial aneurysm (IA) risk. Higher levels of polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) showed a significant association with elevated IA risk, suggesting a potential health concern.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Microplastics (MPs) pose a global environmental and health risk.
  • The impact of MPs on cerebrovascular diseases is largely unknown.
  • Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are a significant cerebrovascular condition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of MPs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
  • To determine the association between CSF MP levels and the risk of intracranial aneurysms (IAs).

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study comparing 48 IA patients and 108 leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) patients.
  • Analysis of CSF samples using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify MPs.
  • Statistical analysis including risk assessment and dose-response relationship evaluation.

Main Results:

  • Seven types of MPs were detected in CSF, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) being most abundant.
  • Elevated levels of PP and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in CSF were significantly associated with increased IA risk.
  • A dose-response relationship was observed between MP mixture concentrations and IA risk, with synergistic effects noted.

Conclusions:

  • Higher CSF levels of MPs, particularly PP and PVC, may be linked to an increased risk of intracranial aneurysms.
  • This study highlights a potential emerging health risk associated with microplastic exposure.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and confirm these findings.
Keywords:
Cerebrospinal fluidExposure riskIntracranial aneurysmsMicroplasticsPy-GC/MS

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