Overview

• The team mapped a novel cerebrospinal fluid drainage pathway through lymphatic vessels located just beneath the facial skin that link to submandibular lymph nodes.
• Application of a force-regulated handheld device that presses and strokes facial skin restored cerebrospinal fluid clearance to youthful levels in aged mice without interfering with natural lymphatic contractions.
• Mechanical stimulation of superficial lymphatics boosted CSF flow by around threefold in older mice, reversing age-associated declines in brain waste removal.
• Superficial facial lymphatic vessels remained functional despite degeneration of deeper cervical pathways in aged animal models, making them accessible targets for intervention.
• Preliminary studies in monkeys and identification of comparable lymphatic vessels in human cadavers support the translational prospects of this non-invasive approach.