Scientist discover ancient brain-cleaning system that may break down in Alzheimer’s disease

By Eric W. Dolan – PsyPost

A new study published in the Journal of Comparative Neurology has identified a previously unknown waste-clearing system in the human brain that appears to play a key role in maintaining healthy neurons. The researchers found that specialized glial cells use tiny canals to draw waste from neurons into structures that resemble microscopic receptacles. When this system becomes structurally impaired, the result may be catastrophic swelling and neuronal decay—hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. The team made the discovery by first studying a similar system in spider brains.