Composition and Neurogenetic Effects of Embryonic Cerebrospinal Fluid: A Systematic Review

Embryonic cerebrospinal fluid (E-CSF) has an important role in neurological development. Due to limited availability, the composition and properties of E-CSF are not known to the present. Our review aims to offer a comprehensive perspective over the studies published to date regarding the composition and effects of E-CSF. We performed a systematic search of four databases for studies regarding normal E-CSF, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We screened 725 records for eligibility criteria, resulting in 44 studies included in the narrative synthesis. Of these, four compared E-CSF with postnatal CSF, and three studies used human E-CSF for composition description. The most comprehensive set of molecular analyses was performed via mass spectrometry, in four studies. We observed a decrease in the number of published studies in the last 5 years. All included studies showed better results when cells were cultured in E-CSF than basal medium. Research on E-CSF remains sparse, particularly concerning its role in human developmental neurobiology. The heterogeneous nature of the study designs and experimental approaches showcase the need for standardized methodologies to better understand the unique properties and potential clinical applications of E-CSF.