Researchers have used artificial intelligence to decode the workings of the brain’s glymphatic system — its built-in waste-clearance mechanism. The AI analyzed MRI data, trained on videos showing dye spreading through brain tissue, to estimate fluid flow speeds. The surprise? The system isn’t uniform. In more open areas near the brain’s surface, fluid moves at a few microns per second. But deep within the brain tissue, the flow slows down dramatically — about 50 times slower. This dual-speed pattern could help scientists better understand how circulation issues relate to Alzheimer’s disease, aging, or concussions, potentially leading to earlier screening tools.
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