The Nightlife of the Brain

The Nightlife of the Brain

Air date: Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 3:00:00 PM

Category: WALS - Wednesday Afternoon Lectures

Runtime: 01:05:29

Description: NIH Wednesday Afternoon Lecture

Dr. Nedergaard and her colleagues recently described a macroscopic pathway in the central nervous system: the glymphatic system, which facilitates the clearance of interstitial waste products from neuronal metabolism. The glymphatic clearance of macromolecules is driven by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that flows along para-arterial spaces and through the brain parenchyma via support from astroglial aquaporin-4 water channels. The glymphatic circulation constitutes a complete anatomical pathway: para-arterial CSF exchanges with the interstitial fluid, solutes collect along para-venous spaces, and then drain into the vessels of the lymphatic system for ultimate excretion from the kidney or degradation in the liver. Because the glymphatic system is only active during sleep, it represents a novel and unexplored pathway for understanding the biological necessity for sleep.

For more information go to http://wals.od.nih.gov

Author: Maiken Nedergaard, M.D., D.M.Sc., Frank P. Smith Professor, Neurosurgery, and Co-Director, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center

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