New Insights into Dementia and Carbon Dioxide’s Role
For a long time, researchers have linked the progression of dementia to the accumulation of specific proteins, particularly amyloid plaques and tau proteins. Amyloid plaques act as sticky aggregates of abnormal protein fragments, while tau tangles consist of stringy proteins. Together, they have often been likened to both a “trigger and bullet” in the onset of dementia.
However, there has been some exciting progress in addressing these issues. Dr. Sephira Ryman, a neuropsychologist leading a research team at The University of New Mexico School of Medicine and the Mind Research Network, presented new findings recently at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London. She discussed how carbon dioxide might help eliminate tau before it builds up significantly.
This follows earlier Parkinson’s research
Back in 2025, Dr. Ryman and her colleagues suggested that short bursts of CO2 exposure could assist in eliminating potentially harmful brain byproducts. This mechanism activates the body’s glymphatic system, which is essential for waste removal from the brain, particularly during sleep. Interestingly, this system seems to be less effective in individuals suffering from certain conditions like Parkinson’s.
The earlier findings indicated that inhaling higher concentrations of CO2 for brief periods could help clean the brains of Parkinson’s patients by removing unwanted substances, such as alpha-synuclein. At one point, Dr. Ryman noted that they could replicate the waste-clearance response usually associated with deep sleep using intermittent CO2 exposure.
In her new study, Dr. Ryman involved a group of 12 participants—eight with normal tau levels and four with elevated levels. Among the latter, three had mild cognitive impairment, which is sometimes seen as a precursor to dementia.
During the experiment, participants wore masks that released bursts of CO2, alternating between normal and elevated levels. This approach seemed to activate their glymphatic system. Post-session, those with higher tau levels appeared to have improved clearance, and all participants showed increased beta-amyloid levels, indicating a potential reduction in neurodegenerative markers.
Researchers wonder whether this means breathing techniques might enhance brain health
In a paper published in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, the researchers noted that mindfulness practices like yoga or tai chi, which have been used for stress relief for ages, might also encourage cerebrospinal fluid movements. This activity could activate the glymphatic pathway while awake, a fascinating possibility. However, they cautioned that more investigation is essential to substantiate these findings.
It’s important to mention that the tau- and amyloid-clearing effects of this CO2 treatment seemed to diminish within an hour after application. Some say that the glymphatic system doesn’t function continuously. Plus, there remains uncertainty among experts about whether these clearance processes will truly prevent or decelerate cognitive decline going forward.
