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Reviews in the neurosciences
Feb 05, 2025;

The essential role of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain; a comprehensive review.

Farhad Mashayekhi, Zivar Salehi
Author Information
  1. Farhad Mashayekhi: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, 4193833697, Iran. ORCID
  2. Zivar Salehi: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, 4193833697, Iran.
PMID: 39900527 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2024-0156

Abstract

There has been a significant amount of attention directed towards understanding brain development, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms. The proliferation and differentiation of brain stem cells have been a key focus. The process of neurolation occurs during the early stages of embryonic development, leading to the formation of the neural tube, a hollow nerve cord that gives rise to the central nervous system (CNS). There is a growing emphasis on the fluid-filled space inside the developing CNS and the potential role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in brain development. The flow of CSF near the germinal epithelium significantly impacts the proliferation of cells in the cerebral cortex. CSF provides crucial support to the germinal epithelium, influencing the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells. It achieves this by releasing growth factors, cytokines, and morphogens that control the proliferation, survival, and migration of neuroepithelium. During development, the concentration of proteins in the CSF is notably higher compared to that in adults. Studies have indicated that removing CSF from the brain's ventricles during development causes an increase in neural cell deaths and a reduction in neural cell proliferation, ultimately leading to a thinner cerebral cortex. Additionally, many researches demonstrate that the composition of the CSF is essential for maintaining germinal matrix function and output, highlighting the critical role of CSF in brain development. It is concluded that CSF impacts the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, which in turn plays a pivotal role in brain development.

Keywords

cerebral cortex cerebrospinal fluid development neural stem cells neural tube

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