Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological diseases can be thought of as “dirty brain” conditions, where the brain struggles to clear out harmful waste.
As we age, our brain’s ability to remove toxic buildup slows down, increasing the risk of these diseases.
However, new research in mice has shown that it’s possible to reverse these age-related changes and restore the brain’s waste-clearing system.
Scientists at the University of Rochester have discovered that restoring the function of lymph vessels in the neck can significantly improve the brain’s ability to remove waste.
This breakthrough, achieved using a drug already in clinical use, offers hope for new treatment strategies for neurological disorders linked to aging.
The study, led by Dr. Douglas Kelley and Dr. Maiken Nedergaard, was published in the journal Nature Aging.
The brain has a unique waste removal system known as the glymphatic system. This system uses cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flush out excess proteins and other waste produced by the brain during normal activities.
In young and healthy brains, the glymphatic system efficiently clears away these toxic proteins, preventing their buildup.
However, as we age, the system becomes less effective, leading to the accumulation of harmful substances like beta-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease and alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease.
For the brain’s waste to be removed from the body, the cerebrospinal fluid carrying the waste must exit the skull and enter the lymphatic system. From there, it travels to the kidneys, where it is processed and eliminated from the body.
The researchers used advanced imaging techniques to map out how this waste-laden fluid leaves the brain. They discovered that about half of the dirty CSF exits through tiny lymph vessels in the neck.
These lymph vessels, which are lined with microscopic pumps called lymphangions, play a crucial role in transporting fluid.
Unlike the cardiovascular system, which relies on the heart to pump blood, the lymphatic system uses a series of small pumps to move fluid. Each lymphangion has valves that prevent backflow, ensuring that the waste-laden CSF is pushed out of the brain.
However, as the mice in the study aged, the researchers observed that the frequency of these lymphangion contractions decreased, and the valves began to fail.
As a result, the flow of dirty CSF out of the brain slowed down by 63% in older mice compared to younger ones.
To address this decline, the researchers explored whether they could revive the function of these lymphangions.
They identified a drug called prostaglandin F2α, a hormone-like compound commonly used to induce labor.
Prostaglandin F2α is known to help smooth muscle cells contract, and lymphangions are lined with these smooth muscle cells.
When the researchers applied the drug to the cervical lymph vessels in older mice, they found that it increased the frequency of lymphangion contractions and sped up the flow of dirty CSF from the brain. Remarkably, the efficiency of waste removal returned to levels seen in younger mice.
Dr. Kelley noted that the lymph vessels are conveniently located near the surface of the skin, making them accessible for potential treatments.
He suggested that this approach, possibly combined with other therapies, could be the foundation for future treatments aimed at improving brain health in older adults.
This research highlights the potential for using existing drugs to restore the brain’s natural waste removal system, offering hope for new ways to treat or even prevent neurological diseases associated with aging.
By improving the brain’s ability to clear out toxic proteins, we may be able to reduce the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, ultimately leading to healthier aging and better quality of life for millions of people.
If you care about brain health, please read studies that eating apples and tea could keep dementia at bay, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
For more health information, please see recent studies what you eat together may affect your dementia risk, and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
