Microplastics and brain waste clearance: how tiny plastics affect cerebrospinal fluid cleaning
Official title: The Effect of Micro-Nano-Plastics Accumulation on Waste Removal from the CNS via Cerebrospinal Fluid Transport
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11506799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at a study that explores whether micro-nano-plastics can accumulate in the brain and interfere with how CSF helps clear waste from the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $211,120 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM130422-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11506799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with concerns about environmental exposures and those willing to contribute tissue samples or data related to plastic exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with no exposure or those unable to participate in tissue sampling or related assessments may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH-funded grant focuses on how tiny plastic particles may enter the human body, reach the brain, and impact the brain’s waste-removal system called the glymphatic pathway. The project builds on a validated method to measure plastic in human tissues and examines how AQP4 water channels on brain cells might influence plastic buildup and brain clearance. Through collaboration at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, researchers aim to map exposure, tissue levels, and potential long-term brain effects to better protect brain health. The work could inform future steps toward reducing exposure and developing strategies to support brain waste clearance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify brain exposure risks to microplastics and guide public health measures to protect brain health.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown brain accumulation of plastics and development of measurement methods, suggesting potential for meaningful advances but needing further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El Hayek, Eliane — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: El Hayek, Eliane
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.