Scientists figured out how to *double* brain waste clearance just by massaging the skin.
The discovery may be the future of Alzheimer’s prevention.
Scientists have discovered a non-invasive way to enhance the brain’s natural waste-clearing system, which could open new doors for treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) demonstrated in mice that gently stimulating lymphatic vessels beneath the skin of the face and neck significantly boosts cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow—a critical mechanism for flushing out harmful substances from the brain. Using a specially designed mechanical stimulator, the team was able to double CSF outflow and restore drainage levels in aged mice, without drugs or surgery.
This breakthrough offers a potential new approach for safely improving brain health in aging populations.
The researchers also identified previously unknown drainage routes from the brain to superficial lymph nodes through facial lymphatics—routes that remain functional even in older animals. These findings complete the anatomical map of CSF outflow and suggest the feasibility of wearable or clinical devices to enhance brain waste clearance. While more research is needed to determine its long-term effects and application in human patients, the team is optimistic that this gentle mechanical approach could be developed into a therapeutic tool to prevent or slow neurodegenerative disease progression.
Paper
Nature. Increased CSF drainage by non-invasive manipulation of cervical lymphatics, June 4, 2025.
