Project Aims to Harness Sleep-Dependent Sensory Stimulation to Enhance Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow in the Brain
Corundum Convergence Institute (CCI), a non-profit supporting cutting-edge research at the intersection of neuroscience and systems biology, announced it has awarded a research grant to Dr. Laura Lewis at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES).
The project explores the development of algorithms to enhance cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in aging brains. It leverages advanced sensory stimulation techniques to optimize CSF flow during sleep, a state critical for clearing toxic metabolites from the brain and supporting neural health. The study offers potential breakthroughs in the early detection and mitigation of neurodegenerative diseases.
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“There is substantial evidence that disordered CSF flow is linked to neurodegeneration. It is therefore critically important to identify interventions that can enhance flow,” said Dr. Lewis, Athinoula A. Martinos Associate Professor of IMES and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT. “Our work will help identify non-invasive, personalized interventions that can improve brain health before the onset of neurodegenerative symptoms.”
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The study will evaluate a closed-loop sensory stimulation algorithm that increases CSF flow during sleep. Flow is dramatically increased during certain phases of sleep, and sleep loss in midlife may be associated with the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Identifying interventions that can target and improve CSF flow during sleep may be a route to protecting memory and other diseases connected to neurodegeneration.
Dr. Lewis’s team has developed algorithms which they have shown to increase CSF flow in younger adults and the CCI-funded study is designed to adapt and extend this to older adults. This work will identify how sensory stimulation during sleep can optimally increase CSF flow across the lifespan, laying a foundation for personalized interventions that prevent neurodegeneration.
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“Dr. Lewis’s research brings critical focus to the role of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in aging – a field poised for significant breakthroughs,” said Caleb B. Bell III, PhD, President and Executive Director of CCI. “By leveraging the unique physiology of sleep to enhance fluid flow, this work exemplifies the innovative science CCI aims to support – work that not only deepens our understanding of brain aging and neurodegeneration but paves the way for transformative interventions.”
“This study is part of a paradigm shift toward understanding and modulating the brain environment in order to address pathological brain states and help promote neural resilience,” said Josh Schulman, PhD, Chief Operating Officer for CCI and Chief Scientist for Corundum Neuroscience. “We believe it will contribute to a framework for personalized interventions designed to prevent or delay the onset of disease and support brain function across individuals’ lifespans.”
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Source: PR Newswire
