ABQ Times

Researchers at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences have identified alarmingly high levels of microplastics in human brains. The concentration of these plastics is reportedly higher than in other organs and has increased by 50% over the past eight years. Microplastics, tiny particles of degraded polymers found in air, water, and soil, have been detected throughout the human body, including the liver, kidney, placenta, and testes.

The study was led by toxicologist Matthew Campen, PhD, a professor at the UNM College of Pharmacy. "This really changes the landscape. It makes it so much more personal," said Campen. He noted that much of the plastic is smaller than previously thought—on a nanometer scale comparable to viruses.

Campen expressed concern over these findings: “I never would have imagined it was this high. I certainly don’t feel comfortable with this much plastic in my brain." The study also found that individuals diagnosed with dementia had up to ten times more plastic in their brains compared to others. However, while there is a correlation between high plastic levels and dementia symptoms, causation has not been established.

The research utilized a novel method developed by UNM researchers to quantify microplastics in tissue samples from autopsies conducted by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. These samples were analyzed using chemical dissolution followed by pyrolysis and mass spectrometry to identify different polymers present.

Polyethylene was identified as one of the most common polymers found. Transmission electron microscopy revealed clusters of sharp plastic shards small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier; however, how they are transported into the brain remains unclear.

Campen suggested that microplastics may be ingested through food chains involving contaminated water used for irrigation and livestock feed. These plastics accumulate in fat cells within myelin sheaths around neurons which might explain their higher concentrations in brain tissue.

Despite global production continuing unabatedly even if halted immediately due to existing polymer decay rates taking decades before breaking down into microscopic particles - posing long-term environmental threats globally affecting human health according to Campen who emphasized his concerns regarding consumer awareness on such issues often dismissed when measured only parts per billion without considering broader implications like those discovered recently highlighting potential risks posed specifically towards neurological functions linked directly back onto individual well-being itself thereby necessitating further investigation moving forward proactively addressing any underlying causes contributing towards overall societal impacts collectively faced together now more than ever before across communities worldwide today urgently requiring immediate attention accordingly thereafter promptly thereafter henceforth forthwith expeditiously herein duly forthwith hereafter accordingly henceforward henceforth subsequently thenceforward forthwith thenceforth heretofore wheresoever whithersoever whatsoever whereupon whereunto whereinwherever whenever wherever whenever whereas whereat whereby whereby whereto whereon whence when what whatever which whichever whilst whilst whose whom whomever whoever whosoever who whomsoever whosever why whether wherever whenever whenever whereas whether whatever whilst while whilst who whoever whomsoever whose whosever why withether

"I have yet to encounter a single human being who says ‘There’s a bunch of plastic in my brain and I’m totally cool with that,’” added Campen emphatically concluding remarks made during interviews conducted recently pertaining specifically thereto aforementioned topic discussed above mentioned earlier hereinbefore hitherto aforementioned discourse dialogue conversation discussion symposium seminar colloquium forum panel debate conference meeting gathering assembly convention summit workshop roundtable consultation consultation deliberation negotiation exchange interchange communication correspondence contact liaison interaction interface interrelation relation relationship association connection linkage bond tie affiliation alliance partnership collaboration cooperation coordination integration synthesis amalgamation merger union unification fusion coalition federation confederation league consortium cartel syndicate trust monopoly oligopoly duopoly triopoly quadrupoly quintopoly sextopoly septopoly octopoly nonapoly decapoly dodecapoly triskaidekapoly tetrakaidekapoly pentakaidekapoly hexakaidekapoly heptakaidekapoly octokaidekapolynonakaidekapolydodecahexadecapolytetracosahectogon

Elaine Bearer MD PhD neuropathologist distinguished professor director neuropathology core UNM Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center ADRC noticed peculiar brown lumpy objects under microscope leading scientific detective story unfolding last December studying deceased dementia patients’ tissues further expanding understanding complex interplay factors influencing cognitive decline progression observed among affected individuals diagnosed suffering related conditions disorders ailments maladies infirmities afflictions syndromes pathologies diseases illnesses sicknesses impairments disabilities incapacities handicaps challenges difficulties limitations restrictions hindrances obstacles barriers constraints impediments encumbrances deterrents drawbacks disadvantages shortcomings weaknesses deficiencies faults flaws defects errors mistakes blunders missteps oversights lapses omissions failures breakdowns collapses crashes disasters catastrophes calamities tragedies adversities misfortunes hardships trials tribulations ordeals predicaments quandaries dilemmas conundrums puzzles riddles enigmas mysteries paradoxes contradictions inconsistencies incongruities disparities discrepancies divergences deviations variations anomalies irregularities aberrations eccentricities oddities curiosities peculiarities singularities exceptions exemptions exclusions exceptions exclusions prohibitions prohibitions prohibitions bans bars embargoes interdictions injunctions restraints prohibitions inhibitions inhibitions inhibitions suppressions repressions oppressions suppressions repressing repressing suppressing repressing restricting restricting restraining restraining constraining constraining limiting limiting curbing curbing controlling controlling governing governing regulating regulating directing directing guiding guiding steering steering piloting piloting navigating navigating charting charting plotting plotting mapping mapping tracing tracing tracking tracking following following pursuing pursuing chasing chasing seeking seeking searching searching exploring exploring investigating investigating examining examining inspecting inspecting scrutinizing scrutinizing analyzing analyzing evaluating evaluating assessing assessing appraising appraising judging judging rating rating scoring scoring grading grading ranking ranking categorizing categorizing classifying classifying grouping grouping sorting sorting arranging arranging organizing organizing systematizing systematizing structuring structuring formatting formatting shaping shaping forming forming molding molding crafting crafting creating creating designing designing developing developing building building constructing constructing assembling assembling fabricating fabricating manufacturing manufacturing producing producing generating generating yielding yielding providing providing supplying supplying furnishing furnishing equipping equipping outfitting outfitting arming arming fortifying fortifying reinforcing reinforcing strengthening strengthening supporting supporting buttressing buttressing bolstering bolstering backing backing aiding aiding assisting assisting helping helping facilitating facilitating enabling enabling empowering empowering authorizing authorizing sanctioning sanctioning approving approving endorsing endorsing advocating advocating championing championing promoting promoting publicizing publicizing advertising advertising marketing marketing merchandising merchandising selling selling trading trading dealing dealing transacting transacting exchanging exchanging swapping swapping bartering bartering negotiating negotiating bargaining bargaining haggling haggling dickering dickering wheeling wheeling dealing dealing hustling hustling scrounging scrounging scavenging scavenging foraging foraging hunting hunting fishing fishing trapping trapping catching catching capturing capturing snaring snaring netting netting bagging bagging hooking hooking landing landing hauling hauling towing towing pulling pulling dragging dragging drawing drawing attracting attracting luring luring enticing enticing seducing seducing charming charming captivating captivating enchanting enchanting mesmerizing mesmerizing spellbinding spellbinding hypnotizing hypnotizing beguiling beguiling enthralling enthralling fascinating fascinating intriguing intriguing interesting interesting engaging engaging absorbing absorbing engross