How the brain gets rid of its chemical waste through the glymphatics during sleep, via blood vessel oscillations, regulated by norepinephrine. Impeded by Ambien.
• Norepinephrine release from the locus coeruleus drives slow vasomotion in NREM sleep
• Infraslow norepinephrine oscillations control opposing changes in blood and CSF volumes
• Norepinephrine oscillation frequency during NREM sleep predicts glymphatic clearance
• The sleep aid zolpidem suppresses norepinephrine oscillations and glymphatic flow
https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(24)01343-6
https://www.science.org/content/article/scientists-uncover-how-brain-washes-itself-during-sleep
Dr Bob, Brain Mechanic 