A new wearable device has been developed to noninvasively monitor the brain’s glymphatic system, which helps clear waste and may play a role in neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s. Traditionally only measurable via MRI, researchers can now observe this system throughout different sleep stages using a head cap embedded with electrodes. The device revealed that glymphatic activity doesn’t simply switch on during sleep and off when awake, but instead builds progressively during sleep and decreases gradually upon waking. This finding offers insights into how sleep quality impacts brain health and could help identify individuals at risk for neurodegenerative diseases.
