The Importance of Non-Invasive Imaging in Understanding the Glymphatic System in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

The glymphatic, or glial-lymphatic system was only recently recognized to have an important role in the pathophysiology of several diseases including Alzheimer ’s, trauma, stroke, and normal pressure hydrocephalus [1]. Unlike the rest of the body that uses lymphatic vessels, the brain’s glial cells or astrocytes serve this function. The three main components of this network are the peri-arterial space, brain parenchyma, and peri-venous space. Briefly, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is pushed into peri-vascular, or Virchow-Robin, spaces within the brain by arterial pulsation [2].
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research