"One day, scientists might be able to successfully mimic the expansion of the interstitial space that does the mental janitorial work so that we can achieve maximally efficient round-the-clock brain trash pickup."
— Konnikova, Maria (b. 1984)
Author
Date
January 11, 2014
Metaphor
"One day, scientists might be able to successfully mimic the expansion of the interstitial space that does the mental janitorial work so that we can achieve maximally efficient round-the-clock brain trash pickup."
Metaphor in Context
A second approach would take the opposite tack, by seeking to mimic the cleanup-promoting actions of sleep in the awake brain, which could make a full night of sound sleep less necessary. To date, the brain's metabolic process hasn't been targeted as such by the pharmaceutical industry. There simply wasn't enough evidence of its importance. In response to the evolving data, however, future drug interventions could focus directly on the glymphatic system, to promote the enhanced cleaning power of the sleeping brain in a brain that is fully awake. One day, scientists might be able to successfully mimic the expansion of the interstitial space that does the mental janitorial work so that we can achieve maximally efficient round-the-clock brain trash pickup.
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
Maria Konnikova, "Good Night. Sleep Clean." New York Times (January 11, 2014). <Link to NYTimes.com>
Date of Entry
01/12/2014
