Researchers at Griffith University discovered that the brain's waste clearance system is impaired in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The impairment, identified using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), was detailed in a study published in 2026 in Frontiers in Neuroscience.

The glymphatic system is responsible for clearing metabolic waste products from the brain and is primarily active during sleep. Dr. Kiran Thapaliya, lead author of the study from Griffith's National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), stated that a malfunctioning waste clearance system can lead to the accumulation of harmful waste, resulting in neuroinflammation. "This study is the first to demonstrate impaired glymphatic function in ME/CFS using MRI, providing a mechanistic explanation for the inflammatory changes reported by other Australian and international teams," Thapaliya said. He added, "This suggests that dysfunction in the brain's natural cleaning system may be a key driver of this condition."

Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, NCNED Director, explained that reduced glymphatic function causes both brain fog and sleep disturbance. "The study found worse sleep is associated with poor brain waste clearance, reinforcing the notion that sleep plays a critical role in maintaining brain health," Marshall-Gradisnik said. She also stated, "We hope the results can pave the way for better diagnosis through the use of non-invasive procedures, and importantly, future treatment for patients."

The study, titled 'Disrupted glymphatic function and its relationship with sleep and cognitive impairment in ME/CFS assessed via DTI-ALPS,' lists K. Thapaliya et al. as authors. The study's DOI is 10.3389/fnins.2026.1875420.