Glymphatic pathway: An emerging perspective in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases

The central nervous system (CNS) is widely recognized as the only organ system without lymphatic capillaries to promote the removal of interstitial metabolic by-products. Thus, the newly identified glymphatic system which provides a pseudolymphatic activity in the nervous system has been focus of latest research in neurosciences. Also, findings reported that, sleep stimulates the elimination actions of glymphatic system and is linked to normal brain homeostatis. The CNS is cleared of potentially hazardous compounds via the glymphatic system, particularly during sleep. Any age-related alterations in brain functioning and pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative illnesses indicates the disturbance of the brain's glymphatic system. In this context, beta-amyloid as well as tau leaves the CNS through the glymphatic system, it's functioning and CSF discharge markedly altered in elderly brains as per many findings. Thus, glymphatic failure may have a potential mechanism which may be therapeutically targetable in several neurodegenerative and age-associated cognitive diseases. Therefore, there is an urge to focus for more research into the connection among glymphatic system and several potential brain related diseases. Here, in our current review paper, we reviewed current research on the glymphatic system's involvement in a number of prevalent neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases and, we also discussed several therapeutic approaches, diet and life style modifications which might be used to acquire a more thorough performance and purpose of the glymphatic system to decipher novel prospects for clinical applicability for the management of these diseases. Age-associated dementia is growing rapidly leading to various neurological diseases and is currently one of the prime reasons for diseases and related morbidity which impacts a wide range of populations. Recently discovered glymphatic system, through which CNS is cleared of potentially harmful substances and plays a significant role in modulating various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric illnesses. To avert these diseases various natural interventions like traditional herbal medicine, non-invasive neurological stimulation, regular sleep cycle and dietary additives may ameliorate disease pathogenesis by improving glymphatic activity are recently identified. Furthermore, investigations are going on the role of nutrigenomics and micronutrients in boosting the activity of glymphatic clearance in various neurological diseases.