Tracking the flow of tau protein from the brain to spinal fluid in mice

The glymphatic system may be responsible for eliminating extracellular tau from the brain to cerebrospinal fluid.

• Glymphatic flow involves the movement of brain interstitial fluid and cerebrospinal fluid through perivascular spaces.
• Cerebral arterial pulsation is a key driver of glymphatic convective flow.
• Aquaporin-4, a water channel, plays a crucial role in facilitating this process.
• Extracellular tau is physiologically released into extracellular fluids and can indicate clearance from the brain.
• Recent findings suggest that the glymphatic system may be involved in the elimination of extracellular tau.

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