What if we could stimulate the brain’s natural cleaning system?
Every night, during sleep, the brain evacuates part of the waste produced by its activity. Among them is beta-amyloid, a protein whose accumulation contributes to the formation of plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
This mechanism is based in particular on the glymphatic systema fluid circulation network that helps eliminate these unwanted substances.
It is this process that researchers from the University of Oulu, in Finland, wanted to stimulate. Their idea: combine a vasodilator drug with body vibrations to promote the circulation of brain fluids.
The results, published on November 3, 2026 in Nature Communicationssuggest that this combination could facilitate the passage of certain proteins from the brain to the blood.
Heart medication and 40 minutes of vibration
The team led by Vesa Kiviniemi recruited 29 adults aged 27 to 61, without cognitive disorders. Participants were subjected to different experimental conditions, including vibration alone and a drug-vibration combination.
The medication used was nitroglycerin, usually prescribed for certain pain associated with angina. Administered under the tongue, it promotes the dilation of blood vessels.
The volunteers then lay down for approximately 37 to 40 minutes on a Neurosonic mattress, which delivered vibrations modulated between 22 and 50 hertz. The objective was to stimulate Piezo1, a mechanosensitive channel present in particular in blood vessel cells.
Analyzes revealed a drop in blood pressure of up to 15%. Importantly, blood concentrations of two forms of beta-amyloid (40 and 42) and GFAP, a protein produced by cells that support neurons, increased by 30 to 35%, after correcting for the blood dilution effect.
“The results suggest that harmful proteins were cleared from the brain more effectively than usual.”explains Johanna Tuunanen, doctoral student at the University of Oulu and lead author of the study.
The lower the blood pressure, the greater the increase. In contrast, light neurofilaments and phosphorylated tau did not show significant variation.
Encouraging signs, but not yet proof of a better cleaned brain
The researchers also observed changes on the MRI: an overall darkening of the brain signal of about 4.6% and an increase of 6.5 milliliters in the volume of fluid around the brain.
These observations could indicate a change in the circulation of fluids. Scientists particularly make the connection with deep sleep. “The observed effect is very similar to the physiological changes we have previously seen during sleep. This makes this discovery particularly interesting for improving the brain’s natural elimination mechanisms.”explains Johanna Tuunanen.
But an increase in protein in the blood does not necessarily mean that it has been flushed from the brain. Christopher Brown, from the University of Southampton, puts forward another explanation, reported by Futura Sciences: “The liver was simply able to break down the protein more slowly than usual.”.
The authors themselves call for caution: “While these results may suggest increased movement of solutes from the brain into the bloodstream, they should be interpreted with caution given our still limited knowledge of the actual clearance pathways.”.
Alzheimer’s: a promising experience, but still very preliminary
The study has several limitations: it only involves 29 healthy people and does not measure memory, amyloid plaques, or the risk of developing dementia. It therefore does not allow us to conclude that this method prevents or slows down Alzheimer’s.
Protocol security also deserves special attention. A few participants experienced headaches and nausea. A case of vomiting led to the termination of a session. Nitroglycerin can also cause a significant drop in blood pressure and has dangerous interactions with certain medications for erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil or tadalafil.
The researchers are now planning a trial with 60 people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, it will be necessary to check whether repeated sessions can have a lasting effect on protein deposits and cognitive abilities.
Professor Vesa Kiviniemi, Head of the Functional Neuroimaging Research Group, University of Oulu, Finland states that: “The next step is to study the potential benefits of this treatment for patients with early-stage memory disorders. We are currently planning follow-up studies in collaboration with other renowned experts in this field.”.
In the meantime, the vibrating mattress constitutes neither a treatment nor a validated prevention method. Blood pressure control remains a much better documented avenue: in the SPRINT MIND trial, an intensive hypertension control strategy was associated with a 19% reduction in the risk of mild cognitive impairment.
Behind this astonishing experience lies a major question: could we help the brain to better eliminate the proteins involved in Alzheimer’s? The answer remains to be constructed. But this research reminds us that understanding the brain’s natural protective mechanisms could open up new perspectives for patients.