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Our Brain Has Its Own Cleaning System!

Writer's picture: Patricia FaustPatricia Faust

Our Brain Has Its Own Cleaning System

If you have been following my blogs for any length of time, you know that I am the brain’s biggest fan! We have such a miraculous organ running everything in us. In that regard, I had to write about the glymphatic system. When I speak about brain health the glymphatic system gets a lot of consideration. After you read this blog you will understand why the glymphatic system is garnering a lot of attention.


The Lymphatic System

Our body is a self-contained system that houses all of the processes necessary for us to survive. You might be familiar with the term lymphatic system. We have a separate circulatory system within our bodies that is made up of an extensive series of vessels and produces a fluid called lymph. This is an exceptionally important circulatory system, but we rarely hear anything of it. One of the lymphatic system’s functions is to flow through each organ, mop up debris, wash it into a network of ducts that eventually drain into blood vessels. Ultimately, our blood circulatory system takes the metabolic debris to the kidneys and liver, where it is eliminated from the body.


Glymphatic System Basics

It was assumed that the brain had a cleaning system also, but researchers didn’t discover it until 2012. Maiken Nedergaard, a Danish neuroscientist from the University of Rochester, discovered the glymphatic system. The name is in reference to the glial cells, which are vital to the waste clearance system. Although we don’t hear a lot about glial cells in discussing the brain, they protect, nourish and insulate the neurons. They also play a role in the immune system. Cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain flows into ring-shaped spaces that encircle the blood vessels in the brain. These spaces act as portals for the entry of cerebrospinal fluid into the rest of the brain. The glial cells act as gatekeepers for these portals. Glia wrap around blood vessels and have cellular machinery that takes up cerebrospinal fluid from the ring-shaped spaces and gives it access to neurons and other brain cells. As it flows through the brain, the CSF collects proteins and other debris and carries it to lymphatic ducts, thereby clearing the brain of waste. So, the term glymphatic system is a combination of glia and lymphatic. (sitn.hms.harvard.edu August 21, 2018)


The Glymphatic System Function Depends on Sleep

The brain is very busy while we are sleeping. Not only is that the time that memory formation and consolidation occur, but it is the time that the glymphatic system flushes out the toxins and debris the brain accumulates during the day. The debris consists of mostly leftover proteins, which when left alone, can form clumps that are toxic to the brain. Specifically, clumping of beta amyloid has been linked to decreases in cognition, memory, and overall brain function in people with Alzheimer’s disease.


It turns out that the slow and steady brain and cardiopulmonary activity associated with deep non-REM sleep are optimal for the glymphatic system to clear waste that has accumulated during the day from the brain. On the opposite side of this, research has uncovered that there is a dramatic decrease in waste elimination during periods of prolonged wakefulness. Lack of deep sleep is a primary risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.


The Role of Exercise in Glymphatic System Function

Early in 2018, the research team of Maiken Nedergaard demonstrated in a new study that exercise can positively affect the function of the glymphatic system. The study measured glymphatic flow in mice exercising on a running wheel. After five weeks it was reported that the mice that exercised had a two-fold increase in glymphatic flow over the sedentary mice. This study provided the date that supported the brain-boosting effects of exercise.


Final thoughts: Make sleep an important part of your healthy lifestyle. It is critical for memory formation and consolidation, as well as, having a clean, high functioning brain.


References:

Andreone, B. (August 21, 2018). Clearing out the junk: healthy lifestyle choices boost brain waste disposal. Retrieved August 13, 2019 from https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/clearing-junk-healthy-lifestyle-choices-boost-brain-waste-disposal


Collado, C. (August 2019). But what about toxins in the brain? Help! Your brain has a microscopic cleaning system, the glymphatic system. Retrieved August 14, 2019 from https://www.sinusitiswellness.com/but-what-about-toxins-in-the-brain-has-a-microscopic-cleaning-system-the-glymphatic-system/


Newman, T. (June 21, 2019). How does your brain take out the trash? Retrieved August 13, 2019 from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325493.php


University of Rochester Medical Center. (February 27, 2019). Not all sleep is equal when it comes to cleaning the brain. Retrieved August 13, 2019 from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190227173111.htm

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     What's Happening?

2025 has certainly started off with a BANG!  There is significant chaos surrounding the start of now President Trump’s term in office.  He described it as ‘Shock and Awe’.  I would agree with ‘shock’, but I am not in awe of the beginning of his term.  Time will tell how this all plays out.  It does force me to get serious about my meditation practice, however.

Then most of the United States was under, first – severe weather systems and then the incineration of Southern California.  In my particular neck of the woods (Ohio/Indiana border) we had 15 inches of snow, subzero temperatures made even colder by high wind.  My gas and electric bill will be out of this world after this month.  It has been a long time since we have seen this type of weather.  In 1978, we had a blizzard where over 30 inches of snow fell, the Ohio River froze over, and I had a blizzard baby 9 months later (to the day)! Nothing like that this time though!

The natural disasters to hit the US this year have been catastrophic.  There was Hurricane Helene that devastated Florida but also caused so much flooding in the Southeast State of North Carolina that the town of Ashville was left in shambles.  This is a mountain town where you would never expect torrential flooding to occur.  The recovery has been slow, but it is ongoing. 

Los Angeles California is the home of many famous and affluent people.  The Palisades and Malibu are two cities you might have seen on TV shows or in movies.  They are on the Pacific coast and were extremely beautiful.  There is nothing left. The damage is unimaginable.  It is hard to understand how people will bounce back from this.

No matter where you live or are reading this, please keep these communities in your thoughts and prayers.  If possible, check out sources where you may make contributions to their recovery.

On a lighter note, The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will play each other in Super Bowl 59 on February 9 in New Orleans.  These two teams played each other in the 2023 Super Bowl and The Chiefs were the winners.  Grudge match in 2025?  We will see.

Make sure you check out the activities going on at the Virtual Brain Health Center.  Krystal and LeAnne always have a month full of activities, the book club, podcasts and guests who bring their expertise to share.  It is free and is worth checking out.  www.virtualbrainhealthcenter.com

I am available to book speaking engagements for The Boomer Brain and The Inside Workings of the Aging Brain.  All Boomers are feeling brain aging losses – tip-of-the-tongue, lost word, forgetting things and the slow down of processing. Request information and open dates through patricia@myboomerbrain.com.

“Pat has written a comprehensive quide to understanding and navigating the intricacies of cognitive aging. ‘The Boomer Brain’ is a beacon of hope for those seeking to enrich their later years.” Dr. Sarah McKay (Founder of The Neuroscience Academy)

Over the past few years, I have had a friend, Carol Meyer, who has been a part of My Boomer Brain.  Carol has her own publication, InFlow that is published quarterly.  It is amazing.  InFlow Magazine - Your Digital Dose of Inspiration is just that.  She has chosen some of my blogs to publish in InFlow and I am grateful.  She wants me to extend an invitation to look at InFlow for yourself.  Here is the link and access information:

 

https://inflowmagazine.gumroad.com/l/Issue11

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