The position in which we sleep is important for the effective cleansing of the brain of toxins, according to scientists, the conclusions of which have been published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Cleansing the brain tissue is important as it helps to remove excess beta amyloid and tau protein, thus preventing the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The brain cleans itself through the so-called the glymphatic system through which the cerebrospinal fluid flows. It functions similarly to the lymphatic system, but is governed by glial cells. During sleep, the glymphatic system is most active.
Researchers at Stony Brook University in New York used magnetic resonance imaging to study the functioning of the glymphatic system of rodents while sleeping on the stomach, on the back and on the side. It turned out that the latter position facilitated the transport of cerebrospinal fluid and was the most effective in getting rid of toxins.
The lateral position during sleep is most often used not only by humans but also by animals. It seems to be a strategy to help us get rid of the toxins that build up in the brain during wakefulness. Many types of dementia are linked to sleep disorders, which can also accelerate the development of Alzheimer’s disease, notes co-author Dr Maiken Nedergaard.