Health
Related: About this forumNIH researchers uncover drain pipes in our brains
By scanning the brains of healthy volunteers, researchers at the National Institutes of Health saw the first, long-sought evidence that our brains may drain some waste out through lymphatic vessels, the bodys sewer system. The results further suggest the vessels could act as a pipeline between the brain and the immune system.
We literally watched peoples brains drain fluid into these vessels, said Daniel S. Reich, M.D., Ph.D., senior investigator at the NIHs National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the senior author of the study published online in eLife (link is external). We hope that our results provide new insights to a variety of neurological disorders.
Dr. Reich is a radiologist and neurologist who primarily uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders which are thought to involve the immune system. Led by post-doctoral fellows, Martina Absinta, Ph.D. and Seung-Kwon Ha, Ph.D., along with researchers from the National Cancer Institute, the team discovered lymphatic vessels in the dura, the leathery outer coating of the brain.
Lymphatic vessels are part of the bodys circulatory system. In most of the body they run alongside blood vessels. They transport lymph, a colorless fluid containing immune cells and waste, to the lymph nodes. Blood vessels deliver white blood cells to an organ and the lymphatic system removes the cells and recirculates them through the body. The process helps the immune system detect whether an organ is under attack from bacteria or viruses or has been injured.
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https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-researchers-uncover-drain-pipes-our-brains
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)No wonder I can never find my keys!
Pacifist Patriot
(24,653 posts)Last edited Sun Apr 1, 2018, 08:45 AM - Edit history (1)
My family has a tradition where we go around the dinner table and share something we learned that day. This is mine for tonight!
TeapotInATempest
(804 posts)You must have some interesting conversations!
In my family, I'm sure we'd all be trying to outdo each other.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,653 posts)His brothers seemed to go along reluctantly. Lo and behold, big brother goes off to college and middle child insists the tradition continue. I have learned some really neat stuff over the years. And yep, they try to outdo each other. I'm totally winning tonight.
On a side note, they instituted one rule very early on. No sarcasm allowed. That has to be spelled out in our family. LOL!