J (Aug 2023)

Mapping the Glymphatic Pathway Using Imaging Advances

  • Rajvi N. Thakkar,
  • Ivelina P. Kioutchoukova,
  • Ian Griffin,
  • Devon T. Foster,
  • Pratiksha Sharma,
  • Eduardo Molina Valero,
  • Brandon Lucke-Wold

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/j6030031
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 3
pp. 477 – 491

Abstract

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The glymphatic system is a newly discovered waste-clearing system that is analogous to the lymphatic system in our central nervous system. Furthermore, disruption in the glymphatic system has also been associated with many neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), traumatic brain injury, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Thus, understanding the function and structure of this system can play a key role in researching the progression and prognoses of these diseases. In this review article, we discuss the current ways to map the glymphatic system and address the advances being made in preclinical mapping. As mentioned, the concept of the glymphatic system is relatively new, and thus, more research needs to be conducted in order to therapeutically intervene via this system.

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