BRAIN LYMPHATICS: REDISCOVERY AND NEW INSIGHTS INTO LYMPHATIC INVOLVEMENT IN DISEASES OF HUMAN BRAINS

The brain’s lymphatic system is comprised of a glymphatic—meningeal—cervical lymphatic vessel pathway. The study of its mechanism and pathophysiology in neurodegenerative disease has been one of the most exciting topics in basic and translational neuroscience of the last decade. However, while there has been some debate about when the meningeal lymphatics were discovered, it cannot be denied that studies in preclinical models and humans in this century represent a monumental step forward in our understanding of how the brain removes metabolic waste, the role this system plays in neurodegenerative disease, and, most importantly, its potential as a novel therapeutic target. This is a summary of the history, functional anatomy, and role of the brain’s lymphatics in neurodegenerative disease.