# Modeling glymphatic system and application for aging

> **NIH NIH R21** · HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM · 2022 · $190,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
Brain was long considered to be devoid of a conventional lymphatic system. However, recent studies led to the
conceptualization of a system responsible for the removal of interstitial solute into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF),
mostly around the veins, named, the glymphatic system. This system provides a pathway of highly organized
convective fluid flow that drives clearance of interstitial solute from the brain parenchyma. The glymphatic system
plays an important role in neurological diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a suitable non-invasive
tool for studying this system, however, few studies have attempted to model the flow through the glymphatic
pathways in order to derive quantitative parameters from MRI data. In this project, we will develop, optimize and
validate new imaging technique using MRI to derive quantitative maps representing the dynamics of the vascular
and glymphatic system. Then, we will investigate aging effects on vascular and glymphatic systems for waste
clearance using the optimized imaging technique and analysis. Aging in brain is associated with arterial stiffening
and arterial compliance reduction that may led to dementia and Alzheimer disease. Data generated from this
application will provide new insights into the efflux pathways of brain waste clearance and provide adequate
materials pursuing a translational investigation of this system. If the aims of the project are achieved, significant
improvement in patient management will be attained by quantifying the glymphatic system and efflux pathways
contribution to neurodegenerative diseases and functional deficits such as TBI, multiple sclerosis, hemorrhage,
and epilepsy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10372563
- **Project number:** 1R21AG070173-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Edward Davoodi Boyd
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $190,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10372563

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10372563, Modeling glymphatic system and application for aging (1R21AG070173-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10372563. Licensed CC0.

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