Neuroinflammation Clearance is the physiological process by which the central nervous system actively resolves chronic, low-grade inflammatory states within the brain and spinal cord, typically mediated by glial cells and the glymphatic system. This clearance mechanism is crucial for restoring neuronal homeostasis, preventing chronic oxidative stress, and protecting against neurodegenerative processes. Impaired clearance is a significant contributor to cognitive decline.
Origin
This term integrates concepts from immunology, neuroscience, and sleep physiology, recognizing that the brain is not an immunologically privileged site but rather possesses its own active, specialized immune and waste disposal systems. The discovery of the glymphatic system and the role of microglia in neuroinflammation resolution solidified the need for this concept in clinical discourse.
Mechanism
Clearance is largely facilitated during deep sleep, where the cerebrospinal fluid flow increases, effectively flushing interstitial waste products from the brain parenchyma. Hormonally, adequate melatonin and growth hormone signaling support the restorative processes, while controlled cortisol secretion prevents chronic microglial activation. Therapeutic strategies focus on optimizing sleep quality, modulating the inflammatory cytokine profile, and supporting antioxidant defenses to enhance this clearance function.
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