Scientists have discovered that the brain's waste disposal mechanism, the glymphatic system, is activated by waves of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine released during sleep. This rhythmic constriction and dilation of brain arteries, driven by norepinephrine, creates a pumping action that facilitates the removal of harmful proteins, protecting against diseases like Alzheimer's.
ArticleBody:While we’re asleep at night, our brain is busy doing maintenance. The glymphatic system –the brain’s waste disposal mechanism–flushes away excess cerebrospinal fluid containing harmful proteins that otherwise build up slowly in the brain. Accumulation of these proteins has been associated with increased risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease.
Unfortunately, sleep medications fall into the latter category, and the study examines how one common medication—Zolpidem, also known as Ambien—affects the activation and operation of the glymphatic system. Researchers compared two groups of mice, one of which was given Zolpidem. The team found that in the Zolpidem-dosed mice, the release of norepinephrine—and, as a result, the operation of the glymphatic system—was noticeably suppressed.
Glymphatic System Norepinephrine Sleep Waste Removal Alzheimer's Disease
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