Introduction: The glia-operated glymphatic system, analogous to but separate from the lymphatics in the periphery, is unique to brain and retina, where it is very closely aligned with the arteriolar system. This intimate relationship leads to a "blood vessel like" distribution pattern of glymphatic vessels in the brain. The spatial relationship of glymphatics, including their essential component aquaporin-4 with vascular pericytes of brain arterioles is critical to functionality and is termed "polarization".
Materials and methods: We review the available literature on the factors affecting the resting state of glymphatics under normal conditions, including the important role of sleep in supporting normal glymphatic function (including waste removal) as well as the critical role of "polarization" under normal conditions. We then examine the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or seizures on the glymphatic system and its state of "polarization".
Results: Injury, such as TBI, can disrupt polarization resulting in "depolarization" leading to brain edema.
Conclusion: Damage to the glymphatic system might explain the brain edema so often seen following TBI or other insult. Moreover, similar damage should be expected in response to seizures, which can often be associated with chemical exposures as well as with TBI. Military operations, whether night operations or continuous operations, quite often impose limitations on sleep. As glymphatic function is sleep-dependent, sleep deprivation alone could compromise glymphatic function, as well, and might in addition, explain some of the well-known performance deficits associated with sleep deprivation. Possible effects of submarine and diving operations, chemical agents (including seizures), as well as high altitude exposure and other threats should be considered. In addition to the brain, the retina is also served and protected by the glymphatic system. Accordingly, the effect of military-related risks (e.g., exposure to laser or other threats) to retinal glymphatic function should also be considered. An intact glymphatic system is absolutely essential to support normal central nervous system functionality, including cognition. This effects a broad range of military threats on brain and retinal glymphatics should be explored. Possible preventive and therapeutic measures should be proposed and evaluated, as well.
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2021. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.