The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential

Feyza Burul

doi:10.62425/rtpharma.1920183

The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

The glymphatic system has been proposed as a brain-wide perivascular clearance pathway involved in the exchange of cerebrospinal fluid and interstitial fluid. As a dynamic clearance network, it plays key roles in regulating fluid exchange between the cerebrospinal and interstitial compartments, facilitating the removal of metabolic waste and misfolded proteins, and supporting cerebral microcirculation. Proper functioning of the glymphatic system is regarded as contributing to the maintenance of brain health, while its dysfunction has been associated with protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegenerative processes. In particular, the perivascular localization and polarization of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) channels are considered critical determinants of glymphatic flow. Although the glymphatic system has emerged as an important component in maintaining brain homeostasis, the mechanisms regulating its function and its relationship with neurological disorders have not yet been fully elucidated. The clearance of α-synuclein via glymphatic pathways and its association with AQP4 represent a promising area of investigation in Parkinson’s disease (PD). A more comprehensive understanding of the glymphatic system may contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies not only for PD, but also for other central nervous system disorders. This review discusses the structure of the glymphatic system, the factors affecting its function, its relationship with central nervous system diseases, and particularly its role in PD, while highlighting the relevance of this system in the context of therapeutic approaches.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Not applicable. This study is a review article; therefore, formal ethics committee approval was not required.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Medical Pharmacology

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Feyza Burul ^*
0009-0002-2193-1106
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

October 2, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

April 2, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62425/rtpharma.1920183

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA76EJ35NB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Burul, F. (2026). The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential. Recent Trends in Pharmacology, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.62425/rtpharma.1920183

AMA

1.Burul F. The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential. Recent Trends in Pharmacology. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.62425/rtpharma.1920183

Chicago

Burul, Feyza. 2026. “The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential”. Recent Trends in Pharmacology, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.62425/rtpharma.1920183.

EndNote

Burul F (October 1, 2026) The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential. Recent Trends in Pharmacology Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]F. Burul, “The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential”, Recent Trends in Pharmacology, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.62425/rtpharma.1920183.

ISNAD

Burul, Feyza. “The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential”. Recent Trends in Pharmacology. Advanced Online Publication (October 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.62425/rtpharma.1920183.

JAMA

1.Burul F. The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential. Recent Trends in Pharmacology. 2026. doi:10.62425/rtpharma.1920183.

MLA

Burul, Feyza. “The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential”. Recent Trends in Pharmacology, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, doi:10.62425/rtpharma.1920183.

Vancouver

1.Feyza Burul. The Glymphatic System–Neurodegeneration Axis: Its Role in Parkinson’s Disease and Therapeutic Potential. Recent Trends in Pharmacology. 2026 Oct. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.62425/rtpharma.1920183