Cerebrospinal fluid flow

The glymphatic system is a waste-clearance network in the brain that removes metabolic byproducts and toxins, including proteins such as beta-amyloid, by flushing cerebrospinal fluid through brain tissue. It operates primarily during sleep, when brain cells shrink slightly to allow fluid to flow more efficiently along perivascular channels formed by glial cells (especially astrocytes). By clearing waste and maintaining chemical balance, the glymphatic system plays a critical role in brain health