Ma Ya-Nan, Wang Zijie, Tang Wei
Department of Neurosurgery, Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou, China.
International Health Care Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan Institute for Health Security, Tokyo, Japan.
Biosci Trends. 2025 May 9;19(2):144-149. doi: 10.5582/bst.2025.01108. Epub 2025 Apr 15.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by β-amyloid accumulation, tau pathology, and impaired metabolic waste clearance. Recent evidence suggests that meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) contribute significantly to the drainage of cerebrospinal and interstitial fluid. Deep cervical lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA), a microsurgical technique designed to enhance this drainage, has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for AD. Preliminary findings from exploratory studies in China indicate possible cognitive and biomarker improvements, but current evidence is limited by small sample sizes, non-randomized designs, and methodological variability. Without standardized protocols and rigorous clinical validation, the broader applicability of LVA remains uncertain. Further investigation through multicenter, controlled trials is essential to objectively assessing its safety, efficacy, and clinical relevance in the management of AD.
