How nanoplastics enter the brain through the nose
Official title: Nasal uptake of polystyrene nanoplastics into the murine central nervous system
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10997746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny bits of plastic in the air might travel from your nose to your brain and could affect your risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer's, especially as we age or based on our genes, and it uses special imaging tools to see how this happens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $35,944 |
| NIH project number | 1F31ES036154-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, particularly those with genetic factors such as the APOE ε4 allele.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any risk factors for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how air pollutants, specifically nanoplastics, can travel from the nasal cavity to the brain, potentially increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The study will explore the role of olfactory sensory neurons in this process and examine how factors such as age, sex, and genetic predisposition influence the uptake of these pollutants. Advanced imaging techniques, including confocal and 2-photon microscopy, will be used to visualize and analyze the cellular dynamics involved in this pathway. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to shed light on the impact of environmental pollutants on brain health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into how environmental factors contribute to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, potentially informing prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific pathway of nanoplastics entering the brain is novel, previous research has shown that environmental pollutants can influence neurodegenerative disease risk.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greenawalt, Denver — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Greenawalt, Denver
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.