Association of MRI indices of the glymphatic system with tau deposition and cognitive function in former professional boxers

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury in former professional boxers affects the glymphatic system (GS). Diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) and enlarged perivascular spaces in the cerebral white matter are recognized as indirect MRI markers of GS function. These MRI indices suggest that former professional boxers experience long-term GS dysfunction, which may be associated with tau deposition in the brain and cognitive impairment.