Size Of Brain Ventricles Research Articles

Mathematical model of the dependence between cerebral ventricular size and capillary pressure in laboratory animals

Aim: To adapt a mathematical model describing the interaction between fluid media and brain matter for the purpose of definition of the dependence between brain ventricle size and capillary pressure in laboratory animals of two genotypes, BALB/c and C57BL/6. Material and methods. The study included 4 male mice of each inbred strain C57BL/6 and BALB/c at the age of 12 weeks. The brain and cerebrospinal fluid system images were obtained using an 11.7 T horizontal MR scanner (Bruker, BioSpec 117/16 USR, Germany). An axial section at the level of -0.5 mm from bregma was chosen as the geometry for mathematical modelling. To describe the data obtained, the mathematical model was adapted by selecting a scale factor based on the known values of the cerebrospinal fluid formation rate for humans and mice. Results and discussion. The same qualitative pattern of relationship between capillary pressure and mean ventricular wall displacement was observed for all animals considered. Although the selected genetic strains of BALB/c and C57Bl mice differ significantly in terms of cerebral ventricle size, these differences in animal genotype did not affect the nature of this relationship. Changing the parameters of the fluid media interaction in the area of compression or moderate ventricular dilation almost does not lead to an exit from the physiologically acceptable capillary pressure value. In this case, the size of the ventricles changes significantly. In the area of large ventricular dilation, in contrast, there is little change in ventricular size, and this is accompanied by a dramatic increase in capillary pressure far beyond physiologic limits. Thus, the change in ventricular size is an adaptive process associated with pressure fluctuations caused by changes in intracranial fluid flow. The mere fact that some of the values reach the zone of physiologically unacceptable pressures associated, in fact, with death, provided that there is practically no change in ventricular size indicates that such a situation is rarely realized and is possible in case of violation of intracranial fluid media flows associated with the fact that the increase in ventricular size limits adaptive capabilities. Conclusions. The presented animal model will further increase the understanding of the pattern we have established and allow us to move on to attempts at prediction.

Comparison of the mathematical modelling results of the relationship between cerebral ventricular size and capillary pressure based on experimental and clinical data

Aim of the study was to compare the results of mathematical modelling of the dependence between brain ventricle size and capillary pressure for humans and animals based on the equations of multicomponent poroelastic filtration for brain parenchyma. Material and methods. The study included two groups of animals - 4 male mice of each inbred line C57Bl/6 and BALB/C at the age of 12 weeks – and 4 healthy volunteers. The brain and cerebrospinal fluid system images of mice were obtained using an 11.7 T horizontal MR scanner, group of humans were examined using the Ingenia 3.0 T MRI scanner. An axial section at the level of –0.5 mm from bregma in the mouse groups and a frontal slice at the level of the middle of the bodies of the lateral and third ventricles, posterior to the foramen of Monroe in the human group were chosen as the geometry for mathematical modelling. Mathematical modelling is based on the stationary mathematical model of multicomponent poroelastic filtration. Multiple linear regression of mean ventricular wall displacement on fluid media interaction parameters was constructed to compare results obtained. Regression coefficients were compared using nonparametric analysis of variance based on the Kraskell–Wallis criterion and post-hoc Dunn’s criterion with Hill’s correction Results. A qualitative coincidence in the behavior of capillary pressure and mean ventricular wall displacement was demonstrated for the human and mouse groups. No significant differences were found between the two animal lines. For the animals characterized by small ventricular size (BALB/c), greater similarity to humans is observed than for the genetic line with hypertrophied ventricles (C57Bl/6). A significant difference between humans and mice is observed only for capillary-venous interaction. Conclusions. The low variance within groups and insignificant discrepancy between groups indicate the possibility of further accumulation of empirical data to establish correction coefficients of the animal model, which will bring it more in line with the model for humans. Thus, the analyzed models are sufficiently comparable with each other.

Unilateral Open Lip Schizencephaly

Schizencephaly is a rare congenital anomaly of the brain secondary to neuronal migration defect, characterized by slit or cleft in the cerebral hemispheres running from the pia to lateral ventricles. From clinical pint of view most of the patients present with different level of motor and psychological disorders. Imaging (CT-Scan and MRI) plays a key role in the definite diagnosis by which associated central nervous system (CNS) anomalies (absence of septum pellucidum and corpus callosum dysgenesis) could be diagnosed as well. Here, we present a case of 22 months old aphasic child suffering from head enlargement. CT-Scan image revealed unilateral schizencephaly compressing lateral ventricles and causing ventriculomegaly. We applied ventriculoperitoneal shunt (V–P shunt). After one month follow-up and brain repeated CT-Scan image for confirmation, the size of brain ventricles considerably diminished.

A New Look on an Old Issue: Comprehensive Review of Neurotransmitter Studies in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Schizophrenia and Antipsychotic Effect on Monoamine's Metabolism.

Neurotransmitters metabolism has a key role in the physiopathology of schizophrenia as demonstrated by studies measuring monoamine metabolites in patient’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) since the beginning of the antipsychotic use. This comprehensive review aims to understand the anomalies of CSF monoamines in schizophrenia and their correlation with clinical and paraclinical features. We also review the influence of antipsychotic treatment on CSF monoamines and discuss the connection with metabolic and inflammatory processes. Studies comparing CSF homovanillic acid (HVA) levels between patients and controls are miscellaneous, due to the heterogeneity of samples studies. However, low HVA is associated with more positive symptoms and a poorer outcome and negatively correlated with brain ventricle size. Based on humans and animals’ studies, antipsychotic treatments increase HVA during the first week of administration and decrease progressively over the time with a fall-off after withdrawal. 5‐hydroxyindolacetic acetic acid levels do not seem to be different in the patient’s CSF compared to controls. Considering metabolic co-factors of neurotrans-mitters synthesis, there is evidence supporting an increase of kynurenic acid in the CSF of patients with schizophrenia. Few studies explore folate metabolism in CSF. Literature also emphasizes the relationship between folate metabolism, inflammation and monoamine’s metabolism. Those results suggest that the CSF monoamines could be correlated with schizophrenia symptoms and treatment outcome. However, further studies, exploring the role of CSF monoamines as biomarkers of disease severity and response to treatment are needed. They should assess the antipsychotic prescription, inflammatory markers and folate metabolism as potential confounding factors.

Brain ventricular dimensions and relationship to outcome in adult patients with bacterial meningitis.

BackgroundExperimental studies suggest that changes in brain ventricle size are key events in bacterial meningitis. This study investigated the relationship between ventricle size, clinical condition and risk of poor outcome in patients with bacterial meningitis.MethodsAdult patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis admitted to two departments of infectious diseases from 2003 through 2010 were identified. Clinical and biochemical data as well as cerebral computed tomographic images were collected. The size of the brain ventricles were presented as a Ventricle to Brain Ratio (VBR). Normal range of VBR was defined from an age matched control group. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of 30-day mortality.ResultsOne hundred and seven patients were included. Eighty-one patients had a CT scan at the time of diagnosis. VBR was identified as an independent risk factor of 30-day mortality, Mortality Rate Ratio: 6.03 (95 % confidence interval: 1.61-22.64, p = 0.008) for highest versus lowest tertile. A VBR deviating more than 2 standard deviations from the normal range was associated with increased mortality.ConclusionsBrain ventricles are commonly subject to marked changes in size as a consequence of meningitis. Increased brain ventricle size in the acute phase of bacterial meningitis was associated with increased mortality.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1097-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of the ventricular system in the brains of adult and juvenile beagle dogs treated with posaconazole IV Solution

IntroductionNoxafil® (posaconazole; POS) is a potent, selective triazole antifungal approved for use in adults as an oral suspension, oral tablet and intravenous (IV) Solution. In support of pediatric administration of POS IV Solution to children<two years of age, a nonclinical study in juvenile pre-weaning Beagle dogs was conducted, which showed enlarged lateral ventricles in the brain at the conclusion of a 6week dosing period. MethodsTo evaluate the impact of this finding on older age dogs, which would support administration to children>two years of age, two studies were undertaken using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor brain ventricle size longitudinally during three months administration of POS IV in adult and juvenile dogs. Necropsy was performed on all animals at the end of the studies. From the baseline MRI images, great variability in ventricle size was noted in both the adult and juvenile dogs; these images were used to distribute differently sized ventricles between treatment and vehicle groups as to not skew group means during the course of the study. ResultsPOS IV Solution had no effect on ventricle volume at any timepoint during dosing in either the adult or the juvenile dogs. Further, no gross or histomorphologic differences between groups were observed in either study. Compared to juvenile dogs, MRI analysis showed that adult dogs had larger ventricles, lower variability in all ventricle volumes, and a greater rate of increase in total ventricle volume. DiscussionInformation on growth and development of brains is one of the few areas in which more detailed information is available about humans than about the standard laboratory animals used to model disease and predict toxicities. The use of MRI helped elucidate large natural variabilities in the dog brain, which could have altered the interpretation of this de-risking study, and provided a valuable noninvasive means to monitor the brain ventricles longitudinally.

Increase in hippocampal water diffusion and volume during experimental pneumococcal meningitis is aggravated by bacteremia.

BackgroundThe hippocampus undergoes apoptosis in experimental pneumococcal meningitis leading to neurofunctional deficits in learning and memory function. The aim of the present study was 1) to investigate hippocampal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and volume with MRI during the course of experimental pneumococcal meningitis, 2) to explore the influence of accompanying bacteremia on hippocampal water distribution and volume, 3) and to correlate these findings to the extent of apoptosis in the hippocampus.MethodsExperimental meningitis in rats was induced by intracisternal injection of live pneumococci. The study comprised of four experimental groups. I. Uninfected controls (n = 8); II. Meningitis (n = 11); III. Meningitis with early onset bacteremia by additional i.v. injection of live pneumococci (n = 10); IV. Meningitis with attenuated bacteremia by treatment with serotype-specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies (n = 14). T2 and diffusion weighted MR images were used to analyze changes in hippocampus volume and water diffusion (ADC). The results were correlated to ADC of the cortex, to ventricular volume, and to the extent of hippocampal apoptosis.ResultsBoth ADC and the volume of hippocampus were significantly increased in meningitis rats compared to uninfected controls (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.0001, Dunns Post Test, p < 0.05), and were significantly increased in meningitis rats with an early onset bacteremia as compared to meningitis rats with attenuated bacteremia (p < 0.05). Hippocampal ADC and the volume and size of brain ventricles were positively correlated (Spearman Rank, p < 0.05), whereas no association was found between ADC or volume and the extent of apoptosis (p > 0.05).ConclusionsIn experimental meningitis increase in volume and water diffusion of the hippocampus are significantly associated with accompanying bacteremia.

Na+ dependent acid-base transporters in the choroid plexus; insights from slc4 and slc9 gene deletion studies

The choroid plexus epithelium (CPE) is located in the ventricular system of the brain, where it secretes the majority of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that fills the ventricular system and surrounds the central nervous system. The CPE is a highly vascularized single layer of cuboidal cells with an unsurpassed transepithelial water and solute transport rate. Several members of the slc4a family of bicarbonate transporters are expressed in the CPE. In the basolateral membrane the electroneutral Na+ dependent Cl−/HCO3− exchanger, NCBE (slc4a10) is expressed. In the luminal membrane, the electrogenic Na+:HCO3− cotransporter, NBCe2 (slc4a5) is expressed. The electroneutral Na+:HCO3− cotransporter, NBCn1 (slc4a7), has been located in both membranes. In addition to the bicarbonate transporters, the Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE1 (slc9a1), is located in the luminal membrane of the CPE. Genetically modified mice targeting slc4a2, slc4a5, slc4a7, slc4a10, and slc9a1 have been generated. Deletion of slc4a5, 7 or 10, or slc9a1 has numerous impacts on CP function and structure in these mice. Removal of the transporters affects brain ventricle size (slc4a5 and slc4a10) and intracellular pH regulation (slc4a7 and slc4a10). In some instances, removal of the proteins from the CPE (slc4a5, 7, and 10) causes changes in abundance and localization of non-target transporters known to be involved in pH regulation and CSF secretion. The focus of this review is to combine the insights gathered from these knockout mice to highlight the impact of slc4 gene deletion on the CSF production and intracellular pH regulation resulting from the deletion of slc4a5, 7 and 10, and slc9a1. Furthermore, the review contains a comparison of the described human mutations of these genes to the findings in the knockout studies. Finally, the future perspective of utilizing these proteins as potential targets for the treatment of CSF disorders will be discussed.

Comparison of two volumetric techniques for estimating volume of intracerebral ventricles using magnetic resonance imaging: a stereological study

The size of brain ventricles is especially relevant in some brain diseases such as epilepsy, schizophrenia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Many studies have been conducted to assess the brain ventricles. To the best of our knowledge, however, there is no fourth, third and lateral ventricles volume study evaluating the efficiency and accuracy of point-counting and planimetry methods of the Cavalieri principle in the literature. In the current study, we estimated the volume of intracerebral ventricles in normal subjects using stereological methods. The volumes of fourth, third and lateral ventricle were estimated in 14 young Turkish volunteers (7 males and 7 females), aged between 18 and 36 years and free of any neurological symptoms and signs, using serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Volumes of intracerebral ventricles were determined on MRIs using the point-counting and planimetry methods. The mean results of the point-counting method were 14.7 +/- 4.2, 8.7 +/- 3.0 and 131.8 +/- 33.1 mm(3) for the fourth, third and lateral ventricles, respectively. The mean results of the planimetry method were 15.4 +/- 3.4, 8.6 +/- 3.5 and 153.7 +/- 34.6 mm(3) for the fourth, third and lateral ventricles, respectively. Ventricle volumes obtained by the two different methods were not statistically different (p > 0.05) and they correlated well with each other. Good agreement was found between results obtained with the point-counting and planimetry techniques. The findings of the present study using stereological methods could provide data for the evaluation of normal and pathological volumes of intracerebral ventricles.

Potential Roles of Arnt2 in Zebrafish Larval Development

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is a basic helix-loop-helix-PAS heterodimeric transcription factor that dimerizes with other basic helix-loop-helix-PAS proteins to mediate biological responses. The function of ARNT2 is poorly understood. Here we provide an initial characterization of the zebrafish arnt2 null (arnt2(-/-)) mutant to identify functions of Arnt2 during development. Arnt2(-/-) mutant zebrafish develop normally until 120 hours postfertilization (hpf ) when morphological changes and functional deficits occur. The C-start escape response initiated by either touch or startle stimuli is absent in the mutants. Brain ventricle size is markedly increased at 120 hpf. Heart ventricles are enlarged, with decreased ventricle wall thickness. A cardiac arrhythmia, characterized by missing beats, is also observed in the mutants. This is associated with bradycardia in arnt2(-/-) larvae. Dilated liver sinusoids merge abnormally to form an extensive, labyrinth-like network of vascular channels. External appearance of arnt2(-/-) larvae at 120 hpf is indistinguishable from wild type except that the swim bladder is not inflated. The arnt2(-/-) mutants are not debilitated when phenotypic effects are first detected at 120 hpf that culminate in mortality, 4 days later around 216 hpf. Gross morphological assessment of the development of forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain regions, neuromasts and Mauthner neurons, inner ear semicircular canals and otoliths, primary motor neurons, trigeminal ganglia, and trunk skeletal muscles, before or when the arnt2(-/-) phenotype was observed, failed to demonstrate a difference from wild type. The only effect in arnt2(-/-) larvae that occurred before 120 hpf was a decrease in expression of sim1, an Arnt2 dimerization partner, in the hypothalamus and ventral thalamus at 72 hpf. Further research is needed to determine if the primary functions of Arnt2 occur during the larval stage, when the phenotype is observed, or earlier in development.

New experimental model of acute aqueductal blockage in cats: Effects on cerebrospinal fluid pressure and the size of brain ventricles

It is generally assumed that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is secreted in the brain ventricles, and so after an acute blockage of the aqueduct of Sylvius an increase in the ventricular CSF pressure and dilation of isolated ventricles may be expected. We have tested this hypothesis in cats. After blocking the aqueduct, we measured the CSF pressure in both isolated ventricles and the cisterna magna, and performed radiographic monitoring of the cross-sectional area of the lateral ventricle. The complete aqueductal blockage was achieved by implanting a plastic cannula into the aqueduct of Sylvius through a small tunnel in the vermis of the cerebellum in the chloralose-anesthetized cats. After the reconstitution of the occipital bone, the CSF pressure was measured in the isolated ventricles via a plastic cannula implanted in the aqueduct of Sylvius and in the cisterna magna via a stainless steel cannula. During the following 2 h, the CSF pressures in the isolated ventricles and cisterna magna were identical to those in control conditions. We also monitored the ventricular cross-sectional area by means of radiography for 2 h after the aqueductal blockage and failed to observe any significant changes. When mock CSF was infused into isolated ventricles to imitate the CSF secretion, the gradient of pressure between the ventricle and cisterna magna developed, and disappeared as soon as the infusion was terminated. However, when mock CSF was infused into the cisterna magna at various rates, the resulting increased subarachnoid CSF pressure was accurately transmitted across the brain parenchyma into the CSF of isolated ventricles. The lack of the increase in the CSF pressure and ventricular dilation during 2 h of aqueductal blockage suggests that aqueductal obstruction by itself does not lead to development of hypertensive acute hydrocephalus in cats.

Characterization and Classification of Zebrafish Brain Morphology Mutants

The mechanisms by which the vertebrate brain achieves its three-dimensional structure are clearly complex, requiring the functions of many genes. Using the zebrafish as a model, we have begun to define genes required for brain morphogenesis, including brain ventricle formation, by studying 16 mutants previously identified as having embryonic brain morphology defects. We report the phenotypic characterization of these mutants at several timepoints, using brain ventricle dye injection, imaging, and immunohistochemistry with neuronal markers. Most of these mutants display early phenotypes, affecting initial brain shaping, whereas others show later phenotypes, affecting brain ventricle expansion. In the early phenotype group, we further define four phenotypic classes and corresponding functions required for brain morphogenesis. Although we did not use known genotypes for this classification, basing it solely on phenotypes, many mutants with defects in functionally related genes clustered in a single class. In particular, Class 1 mutants show midline separation defects, corresponding to epithelial junction defects; Class 2 mutants show reduced brain ventricle size; Class 3 mutants show midbrain-hindbrain abnormalities, corresponding to basement membrane defects; and Class 4 mutants show absence of ventricle lumen inflation, corresponding to defective ion pumping. Later brain ventricle expansion requires the extracellular matrix, cardiovascular circulation, and transcription/splicing-dependent events. We suggest that these mutants define processes likely to be used during brain morphogenesis throughout the vertebrates. Anat Rec, 2009. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

O.015 New model of cervical stenosis in cats: Effects on size of brain ventricles and cerebrospinal fluid pressure

O.015 New model of cervical stenosis in cats: Effects on size of brain ventricles and cerebrospinal fluid pressure

Multigenic factors associated with a hydrocephalus-like phenotype found in inter-subspecific consomic mouse strains

Hydrocephalus is a significant clinical condition in humans and is known to be a multifactorial neurologic disorder. It has been thought that genetic factors are closely involved in the etiology of congenital hydrocephalus, but further investigation is required to elucidate the genetic architecture of hydrocephalus. By analyzing breeding records of a panel of inter-subspecific consomic mouse strains, we found that consomic strains with MSM/Ms (MSM) chromosomes 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, and 17 showed a significantly higher incidence of hydrocephalus, whereas both parental strains, MSM and C57BL/6J (B6), rarely showed this abnormality. Further analysis of the consomic Chr 17 strain revealed that apparently normal individuals of this strain also exhibited increased brain ventricle size compared to B6 and had larger individual variation of ventricle size within the strain. Thus, we concluded that hydrocephalus is an extreme phenotype of individual ventricle size variation. We then established and analyzed several subconsomic strains of Chr 17 to identify genetic factors related to hydrocephalus-like phenotype and successfully mapped one genetic locus around the proximal region of Chr 17.

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of somatostatin, corticotropin‐releasing hormone and corticotropin in alcoholism

Reduced brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of somatostatin, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and corticotropin (ACTH) have been reported among neuropsychiatric patients with cognitive dysfunction. Alcoholism is a disorder in which associated neuropsychiatric disorders occur. Therefore, we compared CSF levels of somatostatin, CRH and ACTH in alcoholics (n = 100) and normal controls (n = 30). There were no significant differences between the groups in concentrations of the 3 peptides. Moreover, there were no significant correlations between concentrations of the peptides in CSF and computed tomographic measures of the size of brain ventricles. There were, however, significant correlations between CSF concentrations of CRH and ACTH and between CSF concentrations of CRH and somatostatin in both the alcoholic and control groups.

The evaluation of cerebral atrophy in renal dialysis patients by computerized tomography.

Thirty nine patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, were submitted to brain computerized tomography in order to investigate the probable existence of brain atrophy. Evaluation was done by measuring the size of brain ventricles by means of a planimeter. An enlargement of the ventricles ranging from 1.43 to 3.13 times the normal was found in all patients. No relation was observed between the degree of the ventricular enlargement and the EEG findings, the clinical neurological picture and the duration of hemodialysis.

GROWTH, HYPOTHALAMIC FUNCTION, AND BRAIN VENTRICLE SIZE IN MENTALLY RETARDED SUBJECTS

Journal of Intellectual Disability ResearchVolume 22, Issue 1 p. 1-10 GROWTH, HYPOTHALAMIC FUNCTION, AND BRAIN VENTRICLE SIZE IN MENTALLY RETARDED SUBJECTS S. LEISTI, Corresponding Author S. LEISTI Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, University oj Helsinki, and Research Department, Rinnekoti Institution for the Mentally Retarded, Espoo, FinlandDr. S. Leisti, Lastenklinikka, SF-00290 Helsinki 29, Finland.Search for more papers by this authorM. IIVANAINEN, M. IIVANAINEN Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, University oj Helsinki, and Research Department, Rinnekoti Institution for the Mentally Retarded, Espoo, FinlandSearch for more papers by this author S. LEISTI, Corresponding Author S. LEISTI Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, University oj Helsinki, and Research Department, Rinnekoti Institution for the Mentally Retarded, Espoo, FinlandDr. S. Leisti, Lastenklinikka, SF-00290 Helsinki 29, Finland.Search for more papers by this authorM. IIVANAINEN, M. IIVANAINEN Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, University oj Helsinki, and Research Department, Rinnekoti Institution for the Mentally Retarded, Espoo, FinlandSearch for more papers by this author First published: March 1978 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.1978.tb00957.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume22, Issue1March 1978Pages 1-10 RelatedInformation