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Review
. 2011;12(9):6267-80.
doi: 10.3390/ijms12096267. Epub 2011 Sep 23.

Nanoparticles and neurotoxicity

Tin-Tin Win-Shwe  1 , Hidekazu Fujimaki
Affiliations
Review

Nanoparticles and neurotoxicity

Tin-Tin Win-Shwe et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2011.

Abstract

Humans are exposed to nanoparticles (NPs; diameter < 100 nm) from ambient air and certain workplaces. There are two main types of NPs; combustion-derived NPs (e.g., particulate matters, diesel exhaust particles, welding fumes) and manufactured or engineered NPs (e.g., titanium dioxide, carbon black, carbon nanotubes, silver, zinc oxide, copper oxide). Recently, there have been increasing reports indicating that inhaled NPs can reach the brain and may be associated with neurodegeneration. It is necessary to evaluate the potential toxic effects of NPs on brain because most of the neurobehavioral disorders may be of environmental origin. This review highlights studies on both combustion-derived NP- and manufactured or engineered NP-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and gene expression, as well as the possible mechanism of these effects in animal models and in humans.

Keywords: brain; nanoparticles; neuroinflammation; neurotoxicity; oxidative stress.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Potential pathways of nanoparticles-induced neurotoxicity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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