Brain HealthResetting the Body Clock After Stroke Boosts Brain Waste Clearance and Recovery
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that strengthening the body's internal 24-hour clock helped mice recover more effectively after stroke. The key mechanism involves the glymphatic system — the brain's waste-clearing network — which is highly active during sleep and regulated by circadian rhythms. After a stroke, this system becomes impaired, allowing harmful inflammatory molecules to accumulate. By reinforcing circadian rhythms, the scientists restored stronger glymphatic activity and reduced lingering inflammation. Remarkably, the intervention worked even when started three days after the stroke, suggesting a treatment window that extends beyond the acute phase. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, open a potential new avenue for supporting long-term brain recovery through circadian-based therapies.
