Restoring cervical lymphatic function rejuvenates the brain’s immune environment and enhances cognitive abilities in aged mice, highlighting potential therapeutic approaches to combat age-related cognitive decline.
August 2024 – Nature Aging
Key Takeaways
- Restoring lymphatic function enhances brain immunity and supports cognitive improvement in ageing: The cervical lymphatic system plays a crucial role in maintaining the brain’s immune balance. By restoring its functionality, it is possible to improve immune responses within the brain, leading to better cognitive performance even in advanced age
- Deterioration of cervical lymphatics contributes to age-related cognitive decline: As the cervical lymphatic system degrades with age, it impairs the brain’s ability to clear waste and regulate immune responses. This deterioration accelerates the cognitive decline often associated with ageing, highlighting its critical role in maintaining brain health
- Rejuvenating lymphatic pathways may slow or reverse brain ageing and neurodegenerative processes: Enhancing the function of aged lymphatic pathways can counteract brain ageing, potentially reversing damage and protecting against neurodegenerative conditions. This approach opens up possibilities for interventions aimed at preserving mental clarity and function over time
By focusing on treatments that restore or optimise lymphatic functionality, there is potential to extend the healthy lifespan, not just in terms of physical vitality but also by safeguarding mental acuity and resilience against age-related decline.
Read the article at: Song, Emma, et al. “Cervical Lymphatic Function in Brain Ageing and Cognitive Decline.” Nature Aging, vol. 4, 2024, doi:10.1038/s43587-024-00692-2.