r/science • u/Potential_Being_7226 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/Potential_Being_7226 PhD | Psychology | Neuroscience 13d ago

Adequate sleep and exercise are two good ways to improve lymphatic drainage.

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u/livens 13d ago

Exercise, it's always exercise.

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u/savvyblackbird 13d ago

Sleep is actually really important for brain health because it’s during the REM cycles that the brain goes over everything and dumps out the waste. I’ve read that dreams could be our brains’ way of categorizing our memories from the previous day and dumping everything we don’t need long term, but that’s one theory.

I’ve struggled with insomnia for years, and it turned out that my heart wasn’t beating properly when I slept so I kept gasping for air. Once I got a sleep test and a CPAP my sleep changed dramatically for the better. I don’t even nap without my CPAP. My memory is also better.