Unveiling the glymphatic system’s role in brain aging: A comprehensive biomarker and modifiable intervention target
= 0.724), with choroid plexus volume emerging as an additional contributor. Musculoskeletal health was a key driver for brain aging in females, while pulmonary metrics prevailed in males. Neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders increased BAGs, imparting increased mortality risk. Protein-wide and genome-wide analysis identified 154 BAG-related proteins and 11 loci. Modifiable factors, particularly systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg, were strongly associated with reduced BAGs. Overall, the DTI-ALPS index is a promising brain aging biomarker, offering insights into links between brain and peripheral health, and highlighting sex-stratified therapeutic strategies. Aggressive blood pressure control may mitigate brain aging and promote long-term brain health.
Authors
- Xingjie Hao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1535-9860)
- Wenxi Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1589-9506)
- Shabei Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5409-2092)
- Lusen Ran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6965-1424)
- Xiang Luo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9233-5788)
- M X Wang
- Dengji Pan
- Wei Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9176-5150)
- Feng Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9349-1758)
- Yuqin He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9697-4070)
- Chang Cheng
- Yuanyuan Fang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1313-1259)
- H T Huang
- Yao Yao
- Haibo Zheng
- Tingting Qin
- Yuxiang Hou
Institutions
- Tongji University (CN)
- National University of Science and Technology (ZW)
- Tongji Hospital (CN)
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Published
- 2026-04-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2516601123
- Primary Topic
- Cerebrospinal fluid and hydrocephalus
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00