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Glymphatic system dysfunction in alcohol use disorder: Current understanding and future directions.
Jia-Yu Lin1,2, Hai-Bo Zhang3, Ling Luo1
1Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China.
World Journal of Psychiatry
|October 20, 2025
Summary
Alcohol affects the brain's glymphatic system in a dose-dependent manner. Low alcohol doses boost function, while high doses impair waste clearance, potentially contributing to cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The glymphatic system facilitates brain fluid exchange and waste removal.
- Glymphatic system dysfunction is linked to neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
- Alcohol's impact on the glymphatic system is complex and dose-dependent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current research on alcohol's effects on the glymphatic system.
- To identify knowledge gaps and future research directions.
- To explore the glymphatic system as a therapeutic target for alcohol-related neurological disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and critical evaluation of existing studies.
- Analysis of mechanisms underlying alcohol's influence on cerebrospinal fluid-interstitial fluid exchange.
- Discussion of confounding factors like sex, age, and blood pressure.
Main Results:
- Low alcohol doses enhance glymphatic function.
- High alcohol doses suppress glymphatic function, leading to cognitive deficits.
- Alcohol's effects are comparable to patterns observed in alcohol-related dementia.
Conclusions:
- The glymphatic system is a key mediator of alcohol's neurological effects.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform interventions for alcohol use disorder.
- Targeting the glymphatic system offers potential therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.
Keywords:
Alcohol use disorderAquaporin 4Glymphatic systemMitochondrial dysfunctionPerivascular spaceMore Related Videos
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