Study of the Brain's Natural Cleaning System in Potential Organ Donors.

Description

Alzheimer's disease is a condition that affects the brain and is associated with the build-up of waste substances that can damage brain cells. Scientists have recently discovered a natural drainage and cleaning system around the brain, called the meningeal lymphatic system, which may help remove these waste products. Researchers believe that this brain drainage system is connected to lymph nodes located in the neck. However, this connection has not yet been clearly demonstrated in humans because it is difficult to study. The purpose of this study is to investigate how fluid drains from the brain to the lymph nodes in the neck. To do this, researchers will use a fluorescent dye called indocyanine green, which can be seen with a special camera. The study will be carried out in potential organ donors who have been authorized for organ donation. The researchers will record images and videos to observe how the dye moves, how long it takes to reach the lymph nodes, whether the drainage is similar on both sides of the body, and which lymph nodes are involved. A better understanding of these drainage pathways may help researchers develop and improve future treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.

Interventions

• Indocynanine Green meningeal injection to understand anatomical connection from the meningeal lymphatic system to the cervical lymph nodes (Procedure)
  Bicoronal incision and craniectomy will be performed to inject a small amount of indocyanin green into the meningeal space and evaluate migration with a fluorescence chamber. A small cervical lateral incision is added for flow monitoring and ends with the aesthetic closure of this. It will be completed with the aesthetic closure of the incisions, which can also be easily hidden.

Eligibility criteria

Conditions

Locations

• Germans Trias i Pujol Universitary Hospital — Badalona, Barcelona, Spain