Neuron· 2025Q1· Review
Resolving the mysteries of brain clearance and immune surveillance
- 46citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2025year
Short summary
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is now understood as central to brain waste clearance, with influx along periarterial spaces and clearance via multiple routes, including connected glymphatic and meningeal lymphatic systems.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is a primary mechanism for brain waste clearance.
- CSF influx occurs mainly along periarterial spaces.
- Glymphatic and meningeal lymphatic systems are functionally connected and involved in clearance.
- Brain clearance is influenced by physiological factors like vascular pulsation, neural activity, and sleep.
- Immune cells at brain-border niches monitor solute efflux and modulate flow, linking clearance to neuroimmune processes.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Recent advances are transforming our understanding of brain fluid dynamics, highlighting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow as a key process in brain waste clearance. While debates persist regarding its anatomical pathways and regulatory mechanisms, certain core principles have become widely accepted. CSF influx occurs primarily along periarterial spaces, solute clearance follows multiple routes, and glymphatic and meningeal lymphatic systems are functionally connected. Brain clearance is influenced by vascular pulsation, neural activity, and sleep. Immune cells at brain-border niches both monitor solute efflux and modulate flow, linking brain clearance to neuroimmune interactions. A deeper understanding of brain clearance could unlock new therapeutic avenues for autoimmune, neurodegenerative, neoplastic, and psychiatric disorders.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Neuron, 2025 · DOI ↗
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Field: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Cellular and Molecular NeuroscienceNeuroscience