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Achieving brain clearance and preventing neurodegenerative diseases—A glymphatic perspective

LAJ12345 profile image
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journals.sagepub.com/doi/fu...

From last year so might have been posted before but a good one for newbies to read if they haven’t heard of the glymphatic system before.

“Age-related neurodegenerative diseases are a growing burden to society, and many are sporadic, meaning that the environment, diet and lifestyle play significant roles. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-mediated clearing of brain waste products via perivascular pathways, named the glymphatic system, is receiving increasing interest, as it offers unexplored perspectives on understanding neurodegenerative diseases. The glymphatic system is involved in clearance of metabolic by-products such as amyloid-β from the brain, and its function is believed to lower the risk of developing some of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we present magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data on the heart cycle’s control of CSF flow in humans which corroborates findings from animal studies. We also review the importance of sleep, diet, vascular health for glymphatic clearance and find that these factors are also known players in brain longevity.”

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72 However, since the sleep-induced fluctuations can be manipulated with sleep deprivation70 or anaesthetics,5 it appears that the state dependent changes are a more powerful regulator of glymphatic function than the circadian timepoint alone.11,72 This conclusion is supported by studies that use anaesthetics to activate the glymphatic system. This would suggest that not the circadian time point, but presumably the sleep or a sleep-like brain state is a main regulator of glymphatic activity.72 However, since the sleep-induced fluctuations can be manipulated with sleep deprivation70 or anaesthetics,5 it appears that the state dependent changes are a more powerful regulator of glymphatic function than the circadian timepoint alone.11,72 This conclusion is supported by studies that use anaesthetics to activate the glymphatic system. This would suggest that not the circadian time point, but presumably the sleep or a sleep-like brain state is a main regulator of glymphatic activity.

??Does this mean that the time of sleep is not that important? If one can not achieve sleep at the normal and desired time, based on this study, is sleeping at unconventional times as beneficial or close to it as a normal sleep schedule?

The effects of alcohol on the glymphatic system also show a J-shaped dose-response curve, where low levels seem to induce, and high levels inhibit the activity of the glymphatic system. When alcohol use is chronic, the glymphatic impairment is not rapidly reversed.110 Alcohol is a modulator of glymphatic function, resulting in an increased and decreased glymphatic function at low and high levels, respectively

?? Interesting and perplexing that alcohol is said to improve the glymphatic system.

If it is attributed to nitric oxide I would think healthier ways like eating beets would be recommended.

high levels, respectively.111 The enhanced CSF-mediated clearance was attributed to nitric oxide (NO)-mediated dilation of blood vessels as an effect of low doses of alcohol.112

?? I really want to know if improved lymphatic drainage has any effect on the glymphatic drainage. My guess is yes.

Excellent paper. Thank you for posting it.

Alcohol glymphatic drainage

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/313...

So low level alcohol consumption is associated with better glymphatic drainage and the reason stated in the paper was nitric oxide. (That is my laymen understanding)

“Low concentrations of alcohol induce increased release of NO from the endothelium due to activation and expression of NO synthase (NOS). In contrast, administration of high concentrations of alcohol or its chronic ingestion impairs endothelial functions in association with reduced NO bioavailability.”

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/313...

So should we drink small portions of alcohol? It is surprising to me.

LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345 in reply to

From memory Laurie Mischley found in her study that wine in moderation was a net beneficial thing for PD. She I think was going to try and distinguish between red and white in the next iteration of her study as they were lumped together last time. She found beer and spirits had nil effect I think I remember?

parkinson.org/sites/default...

However the cancer society continually tells us no amount of alcohol is safe.

jaybar profile image
jaybar in reply toLAJ12345

Do you know a good source for diet and PD? I was diagnosed only two months ago and am now trying to learn as much as I can. Diet seems to be an important component of treatment.

in reply tojaybar

Dr. Laurie Mischley has many free videos and she specializes in PD

AmyLindy profile image
AmyLindy in reply to

Dr. Mischley’s materials are excellent for all w PD.

LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345 in reply tojaybar

Yes, check out Laurie Mischley’s resources. The other number 1 thing is exercise, just as important if not more. Include aerobic, stretching, strength exercises, and breathing. theenergyblueprint.com/the-...

This short video starting at about 3 1/2 minutes talks about glymphatic drainage and the recent medical hypothesis that improved lymphatic drainage can improve glymphatic drainage. She touches on loss of smell and taste

youtu.be/9CzIhMDzJRU

LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345 in reply to

healthunlocked.com/cure-par... is an earlier post of mine form 3 years ago! Doesn’t time fly.

And 2 years ago. I’m finding myofascial release has sorted most of my symptoms that I had 3 years ago. Ps I don’t have PD, hubby does, but I had a lot of annoying symptoms.

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

bookish profile image
bookish in reply to

Thanks for that. I've been doing lymphatic/glymphatic exercises daily for a year or two, but am always happy to tweak or add to my routine. I hadn't heard a covid connection before (although it makes sense) and as I am still worse than I was pre-virus (only 6 weeks post) I am glad to have some more things to try. Certainly felt both relaxing and clearing to do. (Note, no Parkinson's - other neuro and autoimmune) Cheers

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