Therapeutic Value

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia, affecting 3-4% of the population over a lifetime. It's characterized by abnormal Amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau protein expression and accumulation in the central nervous system, leading to amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. While current treatments can slow cognitive decline, there's no cure. The discovery of the "glymphatic-meningeal lymphatic" system has shed new light on cerebrospinal fluid circulation, showing it has a similar interstitial fluid system to peripheral lymphatic circulation. This system helps clear waste and transport nutrients in the brain, known as the glymphatic phenomenon. The deep cervical lymph nodes, part of this system, are crucial for cerebrospinal fluid drainage and are linked to the clearance of AD-related proteins. Aging and inflammation can impair deep cervical lymph node function, increasing cerebrospinal fluid drainage pressure and potentially contributing to AD progression. Lymphatic anastomosis, a surgical technique used for lymphedema and other conditions, is being explored as a potential treatment to alleviate neurodegenerative disease by reducing cerebrospinal fluid pressure and clearing metabolic waste.