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Brain motion and volume transmission: Keeping the interstice flowing
Nelson A Picard1, Carlos A Zanardi1
1Neurosurgery Unit, "Dr. Abraham Piñeyro" Hospital, Junín (B), Argentina.
Medical Hypotheses
|April 5, 2015
Summary
Human brain motion (BM), driven by cardiac and respiratory cycles, is crucial for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation and volume transmission (VT). Reducing intracranial hypertension via decompressive craniectomy may restore BM and VT.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- The human brain exhibits pulsatile and respiratory movements, essential for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation.
- Brain motion (BM) is hypothesized to be a key physiological mechanism, driving non-synaptic or volume transmission (VT) of molecular messengers.
- Intracranial hypertension (ICH), often resulting from head trauma, increases brain stiffness, potentially compromising brain perfusion and BM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of brain motion (BM) beyond a consequence of physiological activities.
- To investigate the potential of decompressive craniectomy in mitigating the adverse effects of intracranial hypertension (ICH) on BM and volume transmission (VT).
- To discuss the necessity of sequential BM for effective VT.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological mechanisms of brain motion.
- Analysis of the impact of intracranial hypertension (ICH) on brain biomechanics.
- Discussion of the therapeutic implications of decompressive craniectomy for BM and VT.
Main Results:
- Brain motion (BM) is integral to CSF circulation and volume transmission (VT).
- Intracranial hypertension (ICH) negatively affects BM and brain perfusion.
- Decompressive craniectomy may aid in restoring BM and VT patterns post-ICH.
Conclusions:
- BM is a fundamental physiological mechanism for volume transmission (VT).
- Maintaining adequate BM is critical for effective VT.
- Decompressive craniectomy offers a potential strategy to restore BM and VT in cases of ICH.
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