The brain under pressure: What are the mechanisms of raised brain pressure and how can we find new treatments?

The brain is the most complex tissue in the human body and one of the least well understood. The brain and the spinal cord (CNS) are surrounded by the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) that delivers nutrients and removes waste products. CSF is under constant flow and its volume and constituents are precisely regulated. However, in a broad range of disease (e.g. infection, heart failure and cancer) fluid pressure in CSF can be dangerously raised and is potentially fatal.
In this project, we will use experimental and theoretical biophysical models to gain new insights into the mechanisms of raised CSF pressure. There are two aspects of CSF pressure we will investigate: 1. How do the constituents of CSF alter its fluid dynamic properties? 2. How does the entry and exit of CSF from the CNS influence brain pressure. We will measure CSF flow and use theoretical biophysical models to understand how CSF flow is altered in disease. We will use animal models (e.g. of infection, increased venous pressure etc.) to affect CSF flow and volume, testing predictions from our biophysical studies. Finally, we will test current treatments (e.g. diuretics and lumber puncture) together with potential new methods suggested by our experiments.