Alzheimer's Disease and Lymphatic Microsurgery: Navigating the Unknown

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hallmark pathological features, including β-amyloid deposition, neurofibrillary tangles formed by hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and chronic neuroinflammation. Recent studies have revealed that the glymphatic-meningeal-cervical lymphatic system plays a pivotal role in intracranial metabolic waste clearance, and its dysfunction may impair the clearance efficiency of β-amyloid and tau proteins. Based on this mechanism, domestic scholars have innovatively proposed lympho-microsurgical reconstruction of the brain-cervical lymphatic drainage pathway, aiming to ameliorate AD pathological progression and cognitive function by enhancing intracranial waste clearance. Through a comprehensive literature review, this article focuses on the theoretical rationale for lympho-microsurgical intervention in AD. While critically evaluating existing surgical approaches and efficacy assessment systems, it further examines the fundamental scientific challenges and clinical translation barriers in directly applying this technique to AD treatment, with the goal of providing theoretical insights and methodological guidance for future research.