Microplastics induce neurotoxicity in aquatic animals at environmentally realistic concentrations: A meta-analysis

Microplastics (MPs) draw international attention owing to their widespread distribution in water ecosystems, but whether MPs cause neurotoxic effects in aquatic animals at environmentally realistic concentrations is still controversial. This meta-analysis recompiled 35 studies to determine whether MPs could change the levels of brain (in vivo) neurotransmitters in aquatic animals at environmentally realistic concentrations (≤1 mg/L, median = 0.100 mg/L). Then, a group comparison was conducted to compare the effects of different factors on the effect size and to explore the significant factors affecting the neurotoxicity of MPs. The results demonstrated that MP exposure could considerably decrease the levels of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in the brain of aquatic animals by 16.2%. However, the effects of MPs on cholinesterase (CHE), acetylcholine (ACh), dopamine (DA) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were not statistically significant due to the small number of studies and samples. The neurotoxicity of MPs was closely linked with particle size and exposure time but independent of animal species, MP compositions, MP morphology and MP concentrations. Further literatures review indicated that MP-induced neurotoxicity and behavioral changes are related with multiple biological processes, including nerve damage, oxidative stress, intestinal flora disturbance and metabolic disorder. Furthermore, some factors influencing MP neurotoxicity in the real environment (e.g. the aging of MPs, the release of MP additives, and the co-exposure of MPs and pollutants) were discussed. Overall, this study preliminarily explored whether MPs induced changes in neurotoxicity-related indicators in aquatic animals through meta-analysis and provided scientific evidence for evaluating the health risks and neurotoxicity of MPs at the environmental level. [Display omitted] •Neurotoxicity of realistic MPs concentrations to aquatic animals was confirmed.•The AchE level in MPs-treated groups decreased by 16.2% compared to the control.•The neurotoxic effect of MPs to aquatic animals was related to size and time.•Neurotoxicity linked to physical damage, oxidative stress and gut flora disorder.•Aging of MPs, additives and co-exposure with pollutants influence neurotoxicity.