By Alexander P. Ligocki et al.
Source Science
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is responsible for maintaining brain homeostasis through nutrient delivery and waste removal for the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we demonstrate extensive CSF flow throughout the peripheral nervous system (PNS) by tracing distribution of multimodal 1.9-nanometer gold nanoparticles, roughly the size of CSF circulating proteins, infused within the lateral cerebral ventricle (a primary site of CSF production). CSF-infused 1.9-nanometer gold transitions from CNS to PNS at root attachment/transition zones and distributes through the perineurium and endoneurium, with ultimate delivery to axoplasm of distal peripheral nerves.