[The glymphatic system - an overview]

Abstract

The glymphatic system as a concept was introduced a decade ago and the knowledge regarding the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid has since been revised. The research of the glymphatic system is extensive today, but there are many knowledge gaps. The glymphatic system was first investigated in animal experiments, but with the MR techniques available today the glymphatic system has also been shown to exist in humans. Studies suggest that the glymphatic system may be involved in the pathophysiological processes of neurological pathologies, such as degenerative brain disorders and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), but also in the aftermath of ischemic stroke, subarachnoidal hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury. It is believed that the glymphatic system with its cleansing capabilities is upregulated during sleep, and interestingly studies show association between lack of sleep and neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we present an overview of the glymphatic system and its possible role in intracranial pathologies.