Researchers land CCI grant to improve neural resilience with non-invasive technology targeting accumulation of harmful metabolic byproducts.
Health-focused non-profit Corundum Convergence Institute (CCI) has awarded a research grant for work being conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to advance the study of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in aging brains. The project, at MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES), seeks to develop algorithmic solutions that leverage sleep-dependent sensory stimulation to enhance CSF flow, a process critical for clearing metabolic waste from the brain.
Led by Dr Laura Lewis, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at IMES, the research aims to explore non-invasive interventions that could mitigate neurodegeneration before symptoms emerge, potentially offering a new approach to preserving cognitive health. The goal is to refine sensory stimulation techniques to optimize CSF movement across different stages of life, ultimately creating a foundation for personalized therapeutic strategies that slow or prevent neurodegenerative processes.
“This study is part of a paradigm shift toward understanding and modulating the brain environment in order to address pathological brain states and help promote neural resilience,” said CCI’s Dr Josh Schulman. “We believe it will contribute to a framework for personalized interventions designed to prevent or delay the onset of disease and support brain function across individuals’ lifespans.”
Disruptions in CSF circulation have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, where impaired clearance of toxic proteins accelerates neural decline. During specific sleep phases, CSF movement significantly increases, playing a fundamental role in brain maintenance.
The study centers on a closed-loop sensory stimulation algorithm designed to increase CSF flow during sleep. Given the growing evidence that sleep disturbances in midlife may contribute to the onset of neurodegenerative conditions, enhancing natural clearance mechanisms through targeted interventions could represent a viable method for protecting long-term brain function. By optimizing CSF circulation, the research aims to reduce the accumulation of harmful metabolic byproducts and support neural resilience over time.
With a “particular interest” in fast fMRI, EEG and PET, Professor Lewis specializes in studying the “neural circuitry that controls sleep” and how sleep impacts brain function. She and her team have previously developed algorithms that successfully enhance CSF flow in younger adults, and this study will extend those findings to older populations.
“There is substantial evidence that disordered CSF flow is linked to neurodegeneration,” said Lewis. “It is therefore critically important to identify interventions that can enhance flow. Our work will help identify non-invasive, personalized interventions that can improve brain health before the onset of neurodegenerative symptoms.”
CCI was formed to advance research at the intersection of neuroscience, systems biology and AI, with a focus on supporting early-stage scientific breakthroughs with the potential to reshape healthcare. The institute believes that by adopting a “non-reductionist mindset”, new biological insights can be more rapidly translated into solutions to improve healthspan and longevity.
“Dr Lewis’s research brings critical focus to the role of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in aging – a field poised for significant breakthroughs,” said CCI president Dr Caleb Bell. “By leveraging the unique physiology of sleep to enhance fluid flow, this work exemplifies the innovative science CCI aims to support – work that not only deepens our understanding of brain aging and neurodegeneration but paves the way for transformative interventions.”
