this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2026
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Science

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Sleep cleans the brain. Now, researchers have developed a fast, non-invasive way to measure the process (www.oulu.fi)
submitted 20 hours ago by artifex@piefed.social to c/science@beehaw.org
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Researchers developed a method that allows the increased movement of brain fluids during sleep to be tracked quickly and safely. They found that 3 kinds of pulsations work together to remove unwanted materials from the brain during sleep.

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[–] Midnitte@beehaw.org 3 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

Wonder if they'd be able to simulate the pulses to trigger more restful sleep

These pulsations fall into three main categories: cardiovascular pulsations generated by the heartbeat in arteries, respiratory pulsations affecting veins and cerebrospinal fluid spaces, and slow vasomotor waves in the walls of blood vessels. Previous research has shown that both these pulsations and the brain’s waste clearance are enhanced during sleep.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago)

CSF flow increases during REM, but it does not mean it causes REM sleep. If anything, it could trick the brain into thinking it was cleaned out.

[–] artifex@piefed.social 2 points 16 hours ago

Right? Or maybe optimized sleep so that less is needed. Whether I get 6 or 7 hours of sleep I feel sluggish. But at 8 I’m fine. That seems totally unnecessary. My brain should be able to get the job done in less time.