r/science • u/Wagamaga • Oct 08 '24

Neuroscience Brain’s waste-clearance pathways revealed for the first time. Wastes include proteins such as amyloid and tau, which have been shown to form clumps and tangles in brain images of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

https://news.ohsu.edu/2024/10/07/brains-waste-clearance-pathways-revealed-for-the-first-time
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u/73Rose Oct 08 '24

so how is it activated/inhibited?

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u/riptaway Oct 08 '24

I think sleep, or lack thereof, will end up being crucial. It seems to be the way the brain "cleans" itself. As someone who used to suffer from pretty bad insomnia, the cognitive decline I felt after just one or two missed nights of sleep was profound.

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u/Fruitslave Oct 08 '24

I sleep way too much, I wonder what effects that has. Is my brain extra clean? Does it slow down the cleaning process somehow becoming less effective? Fascinating stuff to learn about either way!

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u/giant3 Oct 08 '24

Do you wear smartwatch? Check the amount of deep sleep. It is deep sleep that is very important for getting rid of waste from the brain.