Demonstrated how to clean the brain

Researchers have found that brain cell activity during sleep is responsible for propelling fluid into, through and out of the brain, cleaning it of debris.

The night is still, but the brain is far from dormant. During sleep, brain cells produce bursts of electrical pulses that cumulate into rhythmic waves -- a sign of heightened brain cell function.

The neurons are miniature pumps. Synchronized neural activity powers fluid flow and removal of debris from the brain.

The findings were published Feb. 28 in Nature.

Source: ScienceDaily