| Title: | Genome-wide association study of function of glymphatic system based on neuroimaging |
| Lead Institution: | Sun Yat-Sen University |
| Principal investigator: |
Application 109145
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About
The brain produces a lot of waste products that need to be removed to keep it healthy and functioning well. The glymphatic system, a special system in the brain, plays an important role in clearing these waste products by using the fluid that surrounds the brain. The glymphatic system works better when we sleep and is influenced by our genetic and lifestyle factors, such as how much we exercise, smoke or drink alcohol. If the glymphatic system does not work well, it may lead to the build-up of harmful substances in the brain, such as amyloid-beta and !-syn, which are linked to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The aim of this project is to investigate how the genetic and lifestyle factors among different people affect the function of glymphatic system and the risk of developing brain disorders. In the next coming three years, we plan on using data from UK Biobank, and focus on the participants who had brain scans, blood tests and other measurements. Firstly, we will analyze genotype data and neuroimaging to find out which genetic variants are associated with the function of glymphatic system that is measured by diffusion tensor imaging. We will also analyze lifestyle data to find out how the sleep quality, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption affect glymphatic function. Finally, we will analyze clinical data to find out how genetic and lifestyle factors affect the onset of sleep disorders or having cognitive impairments. This project will provide new insights into the role of the glymphatic system in brain health and disease. It is expected to enhance our understanding of the causes and mechanisms of how sleep quality and sleep disorders affect the clearance of metabolic waste and protein aggregates from the brain via the glymphatic system. We expect our study can reduce the burden of neurodegenerative diseases and improve the quality of life of patients and their families in the foreseeable future.1 Publication
| Pub ID | Title | Author(s) | Year | Journal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15195 | Impact of Y chromosome loss on the risk of Parkinson's disease and progression | Junhao Wang (+60) | 2025 | EBioMedicine |
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