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Introduction: Background Material
Published in Nassir H. Sabah, Neuromuscular Fundamentals, 2020
The CNS is physically protected by: A bony structure in the form of the skull and vertebral column.A system of enveloping membranes, referred to as meninges. In mammals, the meninges are: the dura mater (outermost membrane), the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater (innermost membrane).The cushioning effect of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The CSF fills the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater.
Tissue Structure and Function
Published in Joseph W. Freeman, Debabrata Banerjee, Building Tissues, 2018
Joseph W. Freeman, Debabrata Banerjee
Astrocytes are star-shaped neuroglia that are present in the spinal cord and brain (CNS). They supply nutrients to neurons, physically support neurons, repair damaged nervous tissue, bind neurons to capillaries, and maintain the blood-brain barrier (Figure 4.26). Astrocytes facilitate some communication between neurons by wrapping around neural synapses and through the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate. Ependymal cells are ciliated neuroglia that are found within the walls of ventricles (cavities) in the brain and in the spinal cord (Figure 4.27). In the ventricles, the ependymal cells secrete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which surrounds the brain protecting it from physical injury and removing toxins from around the brain, depositing them into the bloodstream.
Soft Tissue Replacements
Published in Joyce Y. Wong, Joseph D. Bronzino, Biomaterials, 2007
K.B. Chandran, K.J.L. Burg, S.W. Shalaby
Fluid transfer implants are required for cases such as hydrocephalus, urinary incontinence, glaucoma-related elevated intraocular pressure, and chronic ear infection. Hydrocephalus, caused by abnormally high pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, can be treated by draining the fluid (essentially an ultrafiltrate of blood) through a cannula. Earlier shunts had two one-way valves at either end. However, the more recent Ames shunt has simple slits at the discharging end, which opens when enough fluid pressure is exerted. The Ames shunt empties the fluid in the peritoneum while others drain into the blood stream through the right internal jugular vein or right atrium of the heart. The simpler peritoneal shunt shows less incidence of infection.
Advances in CSF shunt devices and their assessment for the treatment of hydrocephalus
Published in Expert Review of Medical Devices, 2021
Kamran Aghayev, Sheikh MA Iqbal, Waseem Asghar, Bunyad Shahmurzada, Frank D. Vrionis
Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder caused by the imbalance between the production and absorption of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain [1]. CSF is an organic fluid that circulates in the brain’s ventricles to perform key tasks such as absorbing mechanical shocks, transporting important nutrients, and regulating pressure changes in the cranium and spine. Hydrocephalus can lead to dementia, impaired vision, cognitive skills deterioration, memory loss, coma, and death. Recent literature review and meta-analysis reported that the true incidence of hydrocephalus is hard to estimate due to underreporting, especially in developing countries [2]. However, it is estimated that there are approximately 400,000 new congenital hydrocephalus cases worldwide. Also, there is significant difference in rates of congenital hydrocephalus per 100,000 new births ranging from 68 (USA/Canada) to 316 (Latin America). Neural tube defects, post-infection and post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus are the main contributors to congenital hydrocephalus. A large disparity in the incidence of hydrocephalus between high-income and middle/low-income countries comes from the differences in perinatal care [2]. Moreover, the treatment of hydrocephalus poses a significant economic burden on patients, for example in USA mean hospitalization cost is 14,839 USD per day [3]. Since the incidence of hydrocephalus is higher in low-income countries [2] the economic impact to poor nations is tremendous. Thus, there is an urgent need for low-cost, widely available and highly efficient treatment modalities.
The effect of ventricular volume increase in the amplitude of intracranial pressure
Published in Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 2019
João Apura, Jorge Tiago, Alexandra Bugalho de Moura, José Artur Lourenço, Adélia Sequeira
Hydrocephalus is a disorder related to abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in cerebral ventricles. It occurs with a significant incidence which, in the United States, is estimated to be between 1:1000 to 1:500, as reported in (Linninger et al. 2016). The accumulation of CSF is associated with a volumetric expansion of the ventricles and consequent compression and damage of the brain tissue. Usually, hydrocephalus is associated with an increase of intracranial pressure (ICP) however, it may also occur associated with normal ICP values, a situation described as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Clinically, NPH is of upmost interest being, unlike other cerebral pathologies, an under-diagnosed cause of potential treatable dementia.
Coup-contrecoup brain injury: fluid–structure interaction simulations
Published in International Journal of Crashworthiness, 2020
The brain can be structurally divided into the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain–stem. The cerebrum is divided into two roughly equal hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum and a shared ventricular system. The brainstem is further divided into the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fills a system of cavities at the center of the brain, known as ventricles, and the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain and spinal cord (Figure 2). The CSF cushions the brain within the skull and serves as a shock absorber for the central nervous system [4].