Flush Out Your Brain and Fight Alzheimer's & Parkinson's

Your brain creates waste, and the waste must be flushed out. We're learning more about this process by studying mice.

A recent Washington Post article illustrates how cerebrospinal fluid flushes out waste that has accumulated in the brain, including beta-amyloid protein. This system has been dubbed the "Glymphatic System" by researchers. The waste removal process is most efficient in the sleeping state. In fact, it is believed to be twice as efficient when sleeping. Findings have been published in the journal Science.

The newspaper article says the waste disposal process could be a factor in Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.  It is possible a drug could be developed that could improve this cleanup cycle in the brain. Could these findings bring us closer to cures for numerous brain diseases? One can only imagine how big a market this could be if an effective drug makes it to market. Aricept was developed 15 years ago, and a generic will hit the market soon. The time could be ripe for new drugs in this field.

The next time you strive to pull an all-nighter, think about when you will give your brain a chance to clean out the toxins and get back to an optimum state. If this gives you a legitimate excuse to take that long nap instead of raking leaves this weekend, you're welcome.

References:

• Brains flush toxic waste in sleep, including Alzheimer’s-linked protein, study of mice finds
• Alzheimer's drug market starts to shrivel as caseload explodes
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Parkinson's Disease