Microplastics May Be Tied to Vascular Dementia Cases, Review Finds

The source material presents excerpts from a theoretical paper about the link between microplastics (MPs) and an emerging epidemic of vascular dementia (VaD), arguing that plastic particles are a major, under-recognized risk factor. It highlights a systematic review by Dr. Elena Vasquez that proposes MPs contribute to VaD by causing endothelial dysfunction, blood-brain barrier disruption, and chronic inflammation in cerebral vessels. The episode details how MPs infiltrate the body through ingestion and inhalation, citing evidence that they accumulate in brain tissue and act as a "Trojan horse" by carrying toxins. Finally, the source emphasizes the urgent need for global policy changes and individual lifestyle modifications to reduce plastic exposure, suggesting this cognitive decline is largely preventable.