r/science PhD | Psychology | Neuroscience 13d ago

Neuroscience Boosting brain’s waste removal system improves memory in old mice | Researchers found that rejuvenating the lymphatic vessels in the brain enhanced recognition memory and restored synaptic function through an interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway.

https://medicine.washu.edu/news/boosting-brains-waste-removal-system-improves-memory-in-old-mice/
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u/chessmasterjj 13d ago edited 13d ago

How do we clean out our brain of waste? 

Edit: Just says they boosted the lymphatic system of the mice, doesn't say how. If you give "strengthen lymphatic system" a Goog you get physical exercise, hydration and healthy diet. 

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u/illegalcheese 13d ago

Lymph circulates way faster when exercising, so there's that. Like 3x increase. IDK if that translates to brain lymph, because other lymph vessels are much closer to working muscles. But lymph in general circulates in conjunction with skeletal muscles and all lymph vessels are systemically connected.

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u/chessmasterjj 13d ago

I bet fasting helps