The Brain’s Waste-Removal System

The brain, like other parts of the body, needs to maintain “homeostasis” (a constant state) to function, and that requires continuous removal of metabolic waste. For decades, the brain’s waste-removal system remained a mystery to scientists. A few years ago, a team of researchers—with the help of our author—finally found the answer. This discovery—dubbed the glymphatic system— will help us understand how toxic waste accumulates in devastating disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and point to possible strategies to prevent it.