Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk
NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
About This Grant
Summary Objective: This study aims to determine whether micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) accumulate in the human brain, evaluate their relationship with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, and explore whether environmental disadvantage, measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), is related to variation in cerebral MNP burden. Rationale: MNPs are widespread environmental pollutants with emerging evidence of human tissue accumulation and potential neurotoxicity. Preliminary data show detectable MNPs in the brains of individuals with AD and progressive supranuclear palsy. Social disadvantage may increase exposure to environmental risks, potentially elevating MNP burden and susceptibility to neurodegeneration. Aims: 1. Quantify MNPs in the olfactory bulb (OB) and middle temporal gyrus (MTG) of 140 postmortem human brains (70 with AD pathology, 70 without AD pathology) using five complementary detection methods. 2. Assess associations between cerebral MNP burden and AD pathology, adjusting for age, sex, APOE genotype, postmortem interval (PMI), and other covariates. 3. (Exploratory) Examine the relationship between ADI and cerebral MNP burden, investigating whether MNP burden varies by level of socioeconomic disadvantage. Innovation: This study employs state-of-the-art environmental toxicology methods rarely applied to human brain tissue, integrated with high-resolution neuropathology and life-course social determinants data. It represents the largest and most methodologically rigorous study of cerebral MNPs to date, and the first to directly examine their links to AD and environmental disadvantage. Significance: Findings could identify a novel, modifiable environmental contributor to AD, inform targeted public health interventions, and advance our understanding of how plastic pollution and social disadvantage may shape brain disease. Impact: By bridging environmental science, neuropathology, and social epidemiology, this study could redefine how we think about environmental risks in neurodegeneration. Demonstrating a link between MNP accumulation, AD pathology, and social disadvantage would establish a new line of inquiry with major implications for public health, regulation, and disease prevention.
Grant Summary
Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk is a NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences grant providing up to $431K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-05-14 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $431K
2028-05-14
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk from NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences before the deadline.
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Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk?
Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk is offered by NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk provide?
Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk provides up to $431K per award from NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk deadline?
Applications for Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk are due 2028-05-14 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk?
To apply for Multimethod Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Multiple Brain Regions: Associations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Environmental Exposure Risk, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.