During the day, waste products such as lactic acid and worn-out proteins build up in the brain. When we sleep at night, waves of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) help to wash away this waste, keeping the brain healthy. In a new study, MIT researchers have shown that they can strengthen these CSF waves through exposure to short bursts of a gentle, staticky sound known as 'pink noise' during sleep. These bursts increase the amplitude of slow electrical waves in the brain, which then enlarges the CSF waves. The researchers now hope to explore whether this enhanced CSF flow could help to boost cognitive function, improve memory, or even slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases caused by the buildup of harmful proteins such as amyloid beta. 'We found that we were able to increase the size of the CSF flow wave during sleep, which as far as we know, there hasn't been a method to do before. Now that we can enhance CSF flow during sleep in healthy adults, we're really excited to bring...
learn more
