Physiological Drivers of Fluid Flow in the Subarachnoid Space & Spinal Cord
2019 CSF Hydrodynamics Symposium
OSLO, NORWAY - JULY 1-2, 2019
Over the past several years, much has been learned about the importance of pressure and cardiovascular effects on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow. Very little, however, is known about exactly how CSF flows in and out of the spaces in-between the brain and spinal cord.
The important "spaces" to know are the subarachnoid and interstitial spaces. The subarachnoid space (SAS) is the small space between the squishier parts of the brain (pia mater) and the harder outer "covering" (dura mater). The interstitial spaces along the spinal cord are similarly an "in-between" space that instead run along the spinal cord. In both cases, CSF flows through these spaces as part of important biological processes. When problems with this flow occur, disease and disorders like hydrocephalus or syringomyelia can follow.
Dr. Marcus Stoodley describes his work studying the effects of breathing, slow and fast heart rate and hyper/hypotension on CSF flow in these spaces. The results are very interesting, appearing to show that cardiovascular pulsations have a greater influence on CSF flow in the spinal interstitial spaces and pressure in the thoracic cavity has a greater influence on CSF flow in the subarachnoid space. (2019)
This presentation was made possible thanks to a generous grant from The Monkton Institute and was presented at the 2019 CSF Hydrodynamics Symposium held in Oslo, Norway.
Revised: 9/2019