Have you ever wondered how your brain cleans itself?
A new study on professional fighters offers surprising insights into this process and its connection to dementia.
The Brain’s Waste Disposal System
Our brains have a remarkable cleaning system called the glymphatic system. Think of it as your brain’s personal garbage disposal. It is a network of channels that clears out waste products, including harmful proteins.
When this system works well, it helps keep your brain healthy. But what happens when it is damaged?
A Surprising Discovery
A recent study looked at the brains of professional boxers and mixed martial arts fighters. Researchers expected to find that repeated head impacts would damage the glymphatic system. They were right, but not in the way they expected.
The study, presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting, found that the glymphatic system of cognitively impaired fighters was initially more active than that of non-impaired fighters. However, this overactivity was not a good sign. It was the brain’s desperate attempt to keep up with the damage.
| Fighter Group | Glymphatic System Activity | Long-Term Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitively Impaired | Initially high | Deteriorated over time with more knockouts |
| Non-Impaired | Lower than impaired group | More stable |
Dr. Dhanush Amin, the lead author of the study, explained that the brain’s cleaning system eventually becomes overwhelmed by repeated injuries. “After a certain point, the brain just gives up,” he said.
The Link to Dementia
So, what does this have to do with dementia?
A faulty glymphatic system can’t effectively remove the harmful proteins that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
When these proteins build up, they can damage brain cells and lead to cognitive decline.
This study on fighters provides a new window into understanding how the brain’s cleaning system can fail. It also highlights the importance of protecting our brains from injury.
Protecting Your Brain Health
While most of us are not professional fighters, this research underscores the importance of brain health. Protecting your head from injuries is crucial. So is living a brain-healthy lifestyle.
This includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. These habits can help support your brain’s natural cleaning processes and may reduce your risk of developing dementia.
This new research is a reminder that our brains are both powerful and vulnerable. Taking care of our brain’s ‘garbage disposal’ system is a lifelong commitment to our cognitive health.
References
[1] Radiological Society of North America. “Pro Fighters Risk Damage to the Brain’s ‘Garbage Disposal’.” PR Newswire, 26 Nov. 2025, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pro-fighters-risk-damage-to-the-brains-garbage-disposal-302623389.html.
