Scientists Discover a Hidden Brain “Cleaning” Effect Triggered by Movement
May 01, 2026 | Source: Science Daily | by Penn State
Using microCT scanning, which allows for high-resolution imaging of an organism’s internal structures, and other imaging techniques, researchers found that a network of veins serve as a mechanical connection between the abdominal cavity and the brain. Here, the veins in red run through the interior of a vertebrae and around the spine. Credit: Penn State
Scientists have discovered that the brain is more physically linked to the body than previously understood. In findings published April 27 in Nature Neuroscience, researchers used experiments in mice along with computer simulations to uncover a possible reason why physical activity supports brain health.
The study shows that when abdominal muscles tighten, they press on blood vessels connected to the spinal cord and brain. This pressure causes the brain to shift slightly within the skull. That gentle motion appears to help cerebrospinal fluid move across the brain, which may carry away waste that can interfere with normal brain function.