r/longevity • u/chromosomalcrossover • 14d ago

Boosting brain’s waste removal system improves memory in old mice

https://medicine.washu.edu/news/boosting-brains-waste-removal-system-improves-memory-in-old-mice/
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u/akura202 14d ago

This is awesome! How are they cleaning the brains tho?

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u/OddNefariousness5466 10d ago

Full paper: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00210-7

TL;DR (quick read through, lmk if there's something wrong)

They delete various different parts of the IL6 to IL6-receptor pathway that alters microglia expression and ability to remove debris from the lymphatic system. By inhibiting IL6 in aged mice they found the mice had improved cognition. The paper helps connect previous reports of meningeal lymphatic issues with decreased cognition and highlights the potential for IL6 therapy.