People diagnosed with dementia have up to 10 times more microplastics present in their brains than those without the condition, a new study has found.

Microplastics are accumulating in human brains at alarming rates, with concentrations rising 50% in the past eight years. Researchers found plastic fragments as small as 200 nanometers, possibly interfering with brain function.

Scientists found microplastics in all 52 examined human brains. Newer brain samples had more plastic than older ones.