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Polystyrene nanoplastics modulate neurite length in a size-specific manner.
Veronika Górová1, Thuy Lai1, Alexey Afonin1
1A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Nanoimpact
|February 21, 2026
Summary
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) can be taken up by neurons, with smaller particles (50 nm) promoting neurite elongation and altering the transcriptome, while larger particles (250 nm) do not. This research highlights the need for further study on nanoscale plastics and brain health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Rising plastic production poses environmental and human health risks.
- The impact of micro- and nanoplastics on brain health is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on primary neurons.
- To determine how different sizes of PS-NPs affect neuronal metabolism, morphology, gene expression, and electrophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Primary neurons were exposed to three sizes of PS-NPs (50, 100, 250 nm) at various concentrations (0.05–1 μg/ml) for 24 hours.
- Neuronal metabolism, particle uptake, neurite elongation, transcriptome, and electrophysiological properties were assessed.
Main Results:
- PS-NP exposure did not impair neuronal metabolism or electrophysiological function (firing rate, spike amplitude).
- Neurons showed uptake of 250 nm PS-NPs.
- 50 nm PS-NPs induced neurite elongation and subtle, size-specific changes in the neuronal transcriptome, unlike 250 nm PS-NPs.
Conclusions:
- Nanoscale plastic particles can interact with neurons in size-dependent ways.
- Further research is crucial to understand the specific effects of nanoscale plastics on brain health.
