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Brain health

The brain's cleanup crew works while we sleep

Without the glymphatic system, we're more vulnerable to neurological diseases. Here's how we can support its crucial work.

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
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Illustration of a head with a window on the side; a doctor has climbed a ladder to look into the window, and there is an alarm clock next to the head (concept is brain health from adeuate sleep).

Picture a group of tiny dump trucks in your brain, each carting away toxic waste that might otherwise lead to devastating neurological conditions such as dementia. It's not just a comforting image - it's a very real process that happens on a cellular level each night when we're asleep.

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About the Author

photo of Maureen Salamon

Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

Maureen Salamon is the executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She also writes for the Harvard Health Letter, Harvard Heart Letter, and Harvard Men’s Health Watch, as well as for Harvard Health Publishing’s flagship website. … See Full Bio
View all posts by Maureen Salamon

About the Reviewer

photo of Rudolph Tanzi, PhD

Rudolph Tanzi, PhD, Contributor

Rudolph Tanzi is the director of the genetics and aging research unit and director of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital. He serves as the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor … See Full Bio
View all posts by Rudolph Tanzi, PhD
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