Study of the Brain's Natural Cleaning System in Potential Organ Donors.

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Conditions studied: Anatomical Description

In brief

Alzheimer's disease is a condition that affects the brain and is associated with the build-up of waste substances that can damage brain cells. Scientists have recently discovered a natural drainage and cleaning system around the brain, called the meningeal lymphatic system, which may help remove these waste products. Researchers believe that this brain drainage system is connected to lymph nodes located in the neck. However, this connection has not yet been clearly demonstrated in humans because it is difficult to study. The purpose of this study is to investigate how fluid drains from the brain to the lymph nodes in the neck. To do this, researchers will use a fluorescent dye called indocyanine green, which can be seen with a special camera. The study will be carried out in potential organ donors who have been authorized for organ donation. The researchers will record images and videos to observe how the dye moves, how long it takes to reach the lymph nodes, whether the drainage is similar on both sides of the body, and which lymph nodes are involved. A better understanding of these drainage pathways may help researchers develop and improve future treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07682155

Run by

Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital

People needed

10

Starts

2026-02-01

Expected to finish

2026-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-02

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Potential organ donor patients, both in Brain Death and in Controlled Asystole, candidates to perform organ harvesting authorized by the Transplant and Tissue Coordination of the Universitary Germans Trias i Pujols Hospital, according to the usual channels and whose family members have previously signed the authorization of the donation and the specific informed consent of the study. Will be included in the study always after death is certified by neurological or cardiocirculatory criteria

You may not qualify if…

• Absence of informed consent signed by family members.
• Individuals with a history of having intracranial lymphatic drainage affected.

Where it is running

• Germans Trias i Pujol Universitary Hospital — Badalona, Barcelona, Spain (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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