Archives of Plastic Surgery

  • 제52권2호
  • /
  • Pages.96-103
  • /
  • 2025
  • /
  • 2234-6163(pISSN)
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  • 2234-6171(eISSN)
대한성형외과학회 (Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons)
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A Proposed Role for Lymphatic Supermicrosurgery in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease: A Primer for Reconstructive Microsurgeons

  • Joon Pio Hong (Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Wei F. Chen (Cleveland Clinic, Center for Lymphedema Research and Reconstruction) ;
  • Dung H. Nguyen (Stanford Women's Cancer Center) ;
  • Qingping Xie (Qiushi Hospital Hangzhou)
  • 투고 : 2024.12.24
  • 심사 : 2025.01.03
  • Published : 2025.03.15
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Abstract

The relatively recent discovery of a novel lymphatic system within the brain meninges has spurred interest in how waste products generated by neurons and glial cells-including proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology such as amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau-are disposed of. Evidence is building that suggests disease progression in AD and other cognitive impairments could be explained by dysfunction in the brain's lymphatic system or obstruction of drainage. An interesting implication of this hypothesis is that, by relieving the obstruction of flow, lymphatic reconstruction along the drainage pathway could serve as a potential novel treatment. Should this concept prove true, it could represent a surgical solution to a problem for which only medical solutions have thus far been considered. This study is meant to serve as a primer for reconstructive microsurgeons, introducing the topic and current hypotheses about the potential role of lymphatic drainage in AD. A preview of current research evaluating the feasibility of lymphatic reconstruction as a surgical approach to improving Aβ clearance is provided, with the aim of inspiring others to design robust preclinical and clinical investigations into this intriguing hypothesis.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Christine Welniak (MMI - Medical Microinstruments, Inc.) for assistance with the literature search and strategic discussions. Jeanne McAdara PhD (Biolexica LLC) provided professional medical writing assistance, which was funded by MMI - Medical Microinstruments, Inc. The authors maintained full freedom of investigation and control over manuscript development.

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