Understanding how the brain clears waste using advanced imaging techniques

CRCNS: Waste-clearance flows in the brain measured using physics-informed neural network

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · NIH-10911910

This study is looking at how the brain cleans itself while we sleep, which is important for people with conditions like Alzheimer's and brain injuries, and it aims to use new technology to better understand how this cleaning process works.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10911910 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the brain's glymphatic system, which is responsible for clearing waste during sleep and is linked to conditions like Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury. By using advanced physics-informed neural networks, the study aims to measure the velocity and pressure of glymphatic fluid flows in the brain, which current methods struggle to quantify effectively. The research will adapt these networks to analyze data from various imaging techniques, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of brain waste clearance. This could lead to insights into how failures in this system contribute to neurological diseases.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, or other neurological disorders that may affect the glymphatic system.

Not a fit: Patients without neurological conditions or those who are not experiencing cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve our understanding of brain waste clearance, potentially leading to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of physics-informed neural networks in neuroscience is novel, previous studies have successfully utilized advanced imaging techniques to explore brain functions.

Where this research is happening

ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.