Cervical lymphadenectomy impairs brain lymphatic clearance and synaptic proteostasis.

Cervical lymphadenectomy causes significant impairment of brain lymphatic clearance, leading to metabolic stress and synaptic protein disruptions associated with cognitive decline.

• Why it matters: Understanding how surgical removal of cervical lymph nodes affects brain health is crucial, as it may contribute to postoperative cognitive impairments and neurodegenerative processes.
• What they did: The study used retrospective patient data and animal models to simulate lymphatic flow disruption, revealing that abrupt lymphatic impairment induces metabolic stress, inflammation, and oxidative protein modifications in the hippocampus.
• The result: Findings suggest that acute lymphatic disruption impairs waste clearance, causing biochemical changes linked to cognitive deficits, which could inform strategies to mitigate postoperative neurocognitive risks.