Theoretical and Natural Science · Oct 13, 2026

Analysis of the Influence Between Glymphatic System and Sleep Disorder

By Jing Z

The glymphatic system, first described in 2012 by Iliff and Nedergaard's team, is a macroscopic waste clearance pathway in the central nervous system, and plays an essential role in maintaining brain homeostasis by facilitating the convective exchange of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with interstitial fluid (ISF) to remove neurotoxic solutes. Its functionality is inseparably linked to the physiological state of sleep, with clearance rates dramatically upregulated during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Conversely, sleep disturbances, including sleep fragmentation, chronic insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), impair glymphatic function, leading to the accumulation of neurotoxic proteins such as amyloid-beta (Aβ), tau, and α-synuclein. The aging process further compounds this vulnerability through reduced sleep efficiency, diminished slow-wave sleep, and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) depolarization. This review synthesizes current evidence on the bidirectional relationship between the glymphatic system, sleep, and aging, examining the structural components, sleep-dependent activation mechanisms, and the pathological consequences of glymphatic dysfunction. This study proposes that the glymphatic system serves as a crucial biological link connecting sleep disorders, aging and neurodegenerative disease, positioning it as a promising therapeutic target for cognitive decline.

doi.org/10.54254/2753-8818/2026.hz37634Open accessMechanisms