We discovered a network of vessels in the covering of the brain, 
called the meninges, and these vessels are lymphatic vessels in 
nature. They are unique lymphatics, but they are bona fide lymphatics. 

Research advances medicine. Research pioneers treatment. Research 
pursues cures. Research improves patient care. Research thrives at 
UVA. 

The idea of the Central Nervous System, of the CNS, does not have 
lymphatic vasculature, which is kind of true because inside the brain, 
we do not have vessels per se, but the idea was that, well how does 
the brain drain, and we donÕt even understand how the drainage, how 
the cleaning of the brain is occurring. 

What we discovered is a lymphatic vasculature in the brain within the 
Meninges layer. This lymphatic system functions by draining cerebral 
spinal fluid, which washes the brain and removes all the toxins. The 
beauty of this discovery is potentially, in the future, they may serve 
as therapeutical targets for disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Dementia, 
and even Autism. Now that we have a physical structure to work with, 
we can make it work more efficiently. 

So collaboration is a major thing because we all have our own 
specialties, like weÕre good at something or weÕre interested in one 
particular question scientifically, but when you start talking with 
people that are outside of the field and outside of the things you 
normally do, theyÕre going to come up with ideas, theyÕre going to 
come up with techniques that you can apply to your own system, and 
thatÕs going to bring the research forward. We are a neuroscience 
lab, so we are interested in the brain, and years ago when we started 
to see those lymphatic, we were not a vascular biology lab, and so 
being able to interact with people that knew vascular biology helped 
us drive the discovery forward. 

UVA is one of the most collaborative places that IÕve experienced, 
that IÕve seen. This is really, this is like family. You can knock on 
peopleÕs doors and get stuff going. Without the collaborative spirit 
of UVA, it wouldnÕt be possible.