08/15/2025
Scientists have discovered that simply massaging the face and neck could help the brain clear out waste, potentially reducing problems linked to aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s. In a new study, researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology found a network of tiny lymphatic vessels just under the skin on the face and neck of mice and monkeys. These vessels help drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that bathes the brain and clears away harmful proteins like beta-amyloid, which builds up in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Until now, scientists thought these drainage vessels were buried deep in the neck, making them hard to reach. But using a special dye and a different type of anesthesia, researchers spotted them much closer to the surface. Curious to see if they could boost this natural brain-cleaning process, they built a small device that gently stroked mice’s faces and necks. Just one minute of this massage sped up CSF flow by about three times, and older mice ended up with brain fluid movement similar to young mice. Early tests in monkeys show the same promise.
While it’s too soon to know if this simple technique can truly slow down brain aging or prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s, the team plans more studies, including in mice that model Alzheimer’s. They’ve also found similar vessels under the skin in human cadavers, raising hope that this gentle method might someday help people keep their brains healthier for longer.
Research Paper 📄
PMID: 40468071
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09052-5
