r/science • u/Potential_Being_7226 PhD | Psychology | Neuroscience • 15d 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 15d ago edited 15d 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 15d ago

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

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u/Dedsnotdead 15d ago

I remember seeing a video of a scan of someone in REM. The brain was flushing/washing itself with cerebrospinal fluid whilst the person being scanned was asleep.

First stage was blood draining from the brain and then the fluid washed in and out in waves to clear some of the accumulated “debris?”.

Our bodies are incredible.

https://www.bu.edu/articles/2019/cerebrospinal-fluid-washing-in-brain-during-sleep/

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u/LostWoodsInTheField 15d ago

First time I saw that I was a bit sad for myself. My sleep is horrible and all the various stuff I've done hasn't done a good job of fixing that issue (including doctors).

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u/apcolleen 12d ago

Have you looked into /r/DSPD if that applies?