AUF Startstipendium for research on the cleanup system of the human brain
Daphne Naessens, on behalf of the research institute Amsterdam Neuroscience (ANS), has been awarded a € 25,000 AUF Startstipendium to investigate what the cleanup system of the human brain looks like. This grant is made possible by the Spinoza Fund of the Amsterdam University Fund (AUF).
What does the cleanup system of the human brain look like?
The human brain does not have a system like the lymphatic system in the rest of the body to remove waste. Naessens: 'Despite much research, we do not yet fully understand how the brain keeps itself clean and balanced. The 'glymphatic system' now seems to be a possible route to clean up waste products.’ This system works through the so-called perivascular spaces. These are cerebrospinal fluid-filled spaces surrounding blood vessels in the brain. 'If we understand this system better, it could help treat diseases related to the accumulation of waste products in the brain, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.'