1. Research into the Physiology of Cerebrospinal Fluid Reaches a New Horizon: Intimate Exchange between Cerebrospinal Fluid and Interstitial Fluid May Contribute to Maintenance of Homeostasis in the Central Nervous System
- Author
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Ken Takizawa, Akihiro Hirayama, Takatoshi Sorimachi, Mitsunori Matsumae, Osamu Sato, Naokazu Hayashi, and Hideki Atsumi
- Subjects
Central Nervous System ,0301 basic medicine ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,interstitial fluid ,Central nervous system ,Review Article ,cerebrospinal fluid ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Cerebrospinal fluid ,Interstitial space ,Interstitial fluid ,medicine ,Homeostasis ,Humans ,business.industry ,Extracellular Fluid ,lymphatic drainage ,Spinal cord ,Virchow-Robin space ,aquaporin ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Peptide transport ,Surgery ,Glymphatic system ,Neurology (clinical) ,Erratum ,Subarachnoid space ,business ,Neuroscience ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an essential role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system. The functions of CSF include: (1) buoyancy of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; (2) volume adjustment in the cranial cavity; (3) nutrient transport; (4) protein or peptide transport; (5) brain volume regulation through osmoregulation; (6) buffering effect against external forces; (7) signal transduction; (8) drug transport; (9) immune system control; (10) elimination of metabolites and unnecessary substances; and finally (11) cooling of heat generated by neural activity. For CSF to fully mediate these functions, fluid-like movement in the ventricles and subarachnoid space is necessary. Furthermore, the relationship between the behaviors of CSF and interstitial fluid in the brain and spinal cord is important. In this review, we will present classical studies on CSF circulation from its discovery over 2,000 years ago, and will subsequently introduce functions that were recently discovered such as CSF production and absorption, water molecule movement in the interstitial space, exchange between interstitial fluid and CSF, and drainage of CSF and interstitial fluid into both the venous and the lymphatic systems. Finally, we will summarize future challenges in research. This review includes articles published up to February 2016.
- Published
- 2016