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Glymphatic Clearance Kinetics

Meaning

The quantitative study of the rate and efficiency at which the glymphatic system, the brain’s unique waste clearance pathway, removes metabolic byproducts, including neurotoxic proteins and excess hormones, primarily during sleep. Optimal clearance kinetics are essential for maintaining neuroendocrine health and cognitive function, as impaired rates are linked to the accumulation of amyloid-beta and tau proteins. Clinically, the assessment of this process provides a window into the brain’s restorative capacity and long-term neurological resilience. It is a critical factor in understanding the restorative function of deep sleep.