Brain: scientists discover a new component of vital importance

Brain: How does the component work?

The previously unknown component of the brain’s anatomy acts as a Protective barrier and a platform from which immune cells guard the brain in search of infections and inflammation.

Thanks to this discovery, they transformed the understanding of fundamental mechanics of the human brain and made important discoveries in the neuroscience field, such as:

• Detail the many critical functions of cells in the brain, called glia, that previously went undetected
• The brain’s unique waste removal process, which the lab dubbed the “glymphatic system.”

The scientists explained that the discovery of a new anatomical structure that secretes and helps control the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in and around the brain, allows a much better appreciation of the sophisticated role that CSF plays not only in the transport and removal of waste from the brain, but also in the Support your immune defenses.

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science magazine

How was the new study

The study focused on the membranes that surround the brain. Those membranes create a barrier with the rest of the body and keep it bathed in cerebrospinal fluid. It is a barrier made up of individual layers known as dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

In turn, the newly discovered layer now further divides the space below the arachnoid layer, the subarachnoid space, into two compartments, separated by the newly described layer, which the researchers call SLYMAbbreviation of Subarachnoidal LYmphatic-like Membrane. While much of the research in the paper describes the role of SLYM in mice, they also report their actual presence in the adult human brain.

SLYM is a type of membrane called “mesothelium”, known to coat other organs in the body, such as the lungs and heart. The mesothelia usually surround and protect organsY harbor immune system cells. The discovery of the SLYM membrane opens the door to new studies on its role in the brain diseases.