University of Kentucky Study Links Chemicals in Plastics to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk

University of Kentucky Study Suggests Chemicals in Plastics Could Be a Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s

LEXINGTON, Ky.

Scientists at Lexington’s University of Kentucky are undertaking a groundbreaking study into the environmental aspects that could pose as risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. The study, headed by principal investigator and professor Anika Hartz, Ph.D., zeroes in on the chemicals that are prevalently found within plastics.

Unveiling Hidden Risks

As Hartz explains, “Identifying environmental risk factors for Alzheimer’s is critical to mitigate cognitive decline in humans. Bisphenols can accelerate Alzheimer’s disease and lead to cognitive deficits. Be smart and stay smart by avoiding plastics.”)

She is also associated with the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (SBCoA), a leading national center specializing in aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. The center is one of the National Institute on Aging’s (NIA) funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers across the United States.

Alzheimer’s: A Growing Concern

Alzheimer’s is a progressively deteriorative and irreversible neurological disorder. Approximately 6.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s, a disease characterized by its effects on cognitive function, memory, and behaviour.

Hartz and her team are studying three types of bisphenols (BPA, BPF, and BPS). These chemical compounds are used for the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins and are commonly found in food containers, water bottles, and the lining of cans.

“Human exposure to bisphenols is inevitable due to their widespread presence in the environment,” Hartz notes. Her team’s research has shown that bisphenols trigger blood-brain barrier dysfunction and memory problems, both characteristic symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Consequently, this suggests that environmental bisphenols could possibly pose a substantial yet under-acknowledged risk to the progression of Alzheimer’s.

The Adverse Impact of Bisphenols

Previous research has indicated that bisphenols can affect the endocrine system, a key regulator of hormones in the body. However, the complex role the brain plays within this system remains undetermined. Researchers at the University of Kentucky are now attempting to understand the implications of bisphenol-triggered endocrine system disruption on the blood-brain barrier function, to determine if it could steer cognitive decline and trigger Alzheimer’s progression.

“The goal of this project is to develop fundamental knowledge of environmental impacts on human health that will help promote healthier lives and reduce the burden of diseases and conditions related to aging,” said Hartz.

Creating Collaborations

This study brings together researchers across multiple disciples. Altogether, they are working towards a common goal — to develop lifesaving strategies for maintaining cognitive function in health and disease. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences supported their research — a testimony to the urgency and significance of their engagement with this global health concern.

To combat an impending health crisis and protect future generations, the findings of this ground-breaking study provide us with an essential stepping stone on the path to a healthier, Alzheimer’s-resistant future.