Understanding how micro/nano plastics affect the brain and inflammation
Official title: Exploring Nanoplastics Neurological Effects by Tackling Lipid Mechanisms and Glial Inflammation
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11439656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant looks at how tiny plastic particles in the brain may disrupt lipids and trigger glial inflammation, with hope of informing safer materials and therapies for people at risk of brain diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| 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 | August 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 9, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $419,375 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES039102-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11439656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with exposure to environmental micro/nano plastics or with conditions related to APOE biology who could participate in future biomarker or translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure considerations or who are not part of the CNS inflammation pathways may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center will study how micro/nano plastics interact with brain lipids and proteins, especially APOE and ApoE, and how these interactions influence astrocyte activity and inflammation in the CNS. They will examine the physical forms of plastic particles found in cerebrospinal fluid and how they affect cholesterol-related pathways that are linked to neurodegenerative conditions. The study uses laboratory and possibly CSF samples to explore molecular signals like binding proteins and interleukin-1 that may drive brain inflammation. The goal is to map how these particles could contribute to brain pathology and identify potential points for prevention or treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could lead to strategies to reduce brain inflammation from plastics and guide safer material design or therapeutic targets.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows MNPs can be present in brain and CSF and may influence inflammation, but this area is still emerging and foundational.
Where this research is happening
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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.