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.

[u/Potential_Being_7226]

https://medicine.washu.edu/news/boosting-brains-waste-removal-system-improves-memory-in-old-mice/

[u/chessmasterjj]

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. 

[u/Potential_Being_7226 → u/chessmasterjj]

They boosted the lymphatic system by using an experimental treatment that causes the brain to overexpress vascular endothelial growth factor. The increase in this factor then causes the expansion and growth of lymphatic vessels. This treatment is not possible in people. 

[u/GentlemenHODL → u/Potential_Being_7226]

This treatment is not possible in people. 

Because we have not developed the mechanism or for some other reason?

[u/Potential_Being_7226 → u/GentlemenHODL]

Safety and feasibility 

[u/GentlemenHODL → u/Potential_Being_7226]

Thank you for the quick answer. I understand the safety can be resolved with advancements but could you explain the lack of feasibility?

[u/Potential_Being_7226 → u/GentlemenHODL]

There are a few issues that limit practical application in humans. This study uses a viral vector that changes gene expression in the brain (it’s basically gene therapy) and there are some developments in this area in humans: 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5548848/

For humans, it isn’t clear whether using this type of gene therapy would treat age-related neurological diseases. Taking Alzheimer’s disease as an example, it’s not clear whether this intervention would reverse the disease process once it has already started. As more research about AD emerges, it seems like the neural hallmarks of the illness (like plaques and tangles) are consequences rather than causes of the illness. AD seems to arise from a combination of genetic risks as well as environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to neuroinflammatory signaling over the lifespan. For AD, interventions can slow the disease, but it is unknown whether improved lymphatic drainage would do anything to stop the disease processes once they are in motion. We do know that lifestyle factors that promote lymphatic drainage (exercise and sleep) seem to lower the risk of AD. 

Also, this type of gene therapy would require delivery directly into the central nervous system, so that makes it challenging as a potential treatment option. 

Lots of researchers are actively studying aspects of this, so it’s not a lost cause; it’s just not there yet. 

[u/GentlemenHODL → u/Potential_Being_7226]

I greatly appreciate the time you took to write that.

[u/Potential_Being_7226 → u/GentlemenHODL]

You’re welcome, I enjoy talking about this stuff, so thank you for your interest. :)