Microplastics disrupt gut bacteria and may speed up Alzheimer's-like brain changes and memory loss through gut-brain communication

Chronic oral exposure to 2-µm amine-modified polystyrene microparticles accelerates cognitive decline in 5XFAD mice.

• Ingested microplastics accumulate in the gut and disrupt the gut barrier.
• Exposure to microplastics leads to an increase in amyloid-beta deposition, gliosis, and synaptic loss.
• A systemic taurine deficit is observed that correlates with increased neurodegenerative markers in the mice.
• Microbiota disturbances caused by microplastics contribute to the neurotoxic effects, as shown by microbiota ablation and fecal microbiota transplantation.
• Restoring taurine levels can improve microglial function and memory deficits associated with microplastic exposure.
• Taurine levels are significantly lower in Alzheimer's disease patients compared to cognitively normal individuals.

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