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

  • Farhad Mashayekhi ORCID logo EMAIL logo und Zivar Salehi
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 5. Februar 2025
Reviews in the Neurosciences
Aus der Zeitschrift Reviews in the Neurosciences Band 36 Heft 5

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
Corresponding author: Farhad Mashayekhi, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, 4193833697, Iran, E-mail:

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank to the research assistant of the university of Guilan for support.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: FM and ZS Both wrote the manuscript. All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2024-10-29
Accepted: 2025-01-17
Published Online: 2025-02-05
Published in Print: 2025-07-28

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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https://doi.org/10.1515/revneuro-2024-0156
Schlagwörter für diesen Artikel
cerebral cortex; cerebrospinal fluid; development; neural stem cells; neural tube

Artikel in diesem Heft

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Neurological mechanism-based analysis of the role and characteristics of physical activity in the improvement of depressive symptoms
  3. Recognition and classification of facial expression using artificial intelligence as a key of early detection in neurological disorders
  4. The role of neuroinflammation in PV interneuron impairments in brain networks; implications for cognitive disorders
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