Translational technologies for detection and restoration of glymphatic flow

The glymphatic network serves as a “front end” for waste clearance in the brain, and is connected downstream to an authentic lymphatic network, which consists of dura that covers the brain as well as cranial nerves and large vessels at skull exits. It has been documented that soluble metabolic waste products are transported from the interstitial fluid (ISF) space and out of the brain via the glymphatic system. The activity of the glymphatic system is reliant on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); CSF flow in turn reflects the fluid circulation in the brain parenchyma. While the driving force of CSF flow is not clearly understood, the sleep/wake cycle, associated sleep, decreased sympathetic activity, accompanied by slow electroencephalogram (EEG) waves have been shown to play an important role in regulation of glymphatic flow. The ability to noninvasively evaluate CSF flow and to enhance glymphatic flow may thus have positive effects on sleep while also being able to better characterize and remedy  mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in the field, address Alzheimers, and many other neurological disorders.