Original version

BBC World Service Online

Health Check

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Health Check: Discovery of Brain’s 'Waste Disposal' System

Magazines & Reviews

brain getty  675799820.JPG

2017/10/18 GMT

Discovery of Brain’s 'Waste Disposal' System

BBC World Service - Health Check, Discovery of Brain’s 'Waste Disposal' System

Evidence of the brain' lymphatic system could change knowledge of neurological conditions

Scanning reveals brain’s 'waste disposal' system; firework ban to cut Diwali pollution; new treatment for eye problems in children with arthritis

The discovery of the brain’s “waste disposal” system could transform our understanding of neurological conditions. Until now there was no evidence of the lymphatic system in the human brain – that’s the network of vessels which also transports part of the immune system around the body. The American researchers hope that this knowledge may eventually add to our understanding of brain conditions like multiple sclerosis.

It’s Divali this week – and the Hindu festival is celebrated with prayers, food and fireworks. But in India firecrackers have become so popular that there is a spike in air pollution – serious for anyone with lung problems like asthma. The sale of firecrackers has been banned in Delhi - in the hope of preventing a toxic smog from blanketing the city. But some residents are more concerned with everyday pollution from cars and industry.
 
A drug trial for an eye condition called uveitis has been stopped early because it was working so well. It affects one in six children who have juvenile idiopathic arthritis - where the immune system attacks the lining of the joints.  This new treatment could stop children going blind but the cost may be too high for patients in some developing countries. 

(Photo: Computer generated image of the brain: Credit: Getty images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Health Check

Discovery of Brain’s 'Waste Disposal' System

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service