Brain surgery is a complex procedure. Sometimes, after surgery to fix a brain aneurysm, doctors need to drain fluid from around the brain. This is called cerebrospinal fluid drainage. It is not always clear when this will be necessary. This makes planning tricky. Doctors are always looking for ways to predict when drainage will be needed. This can help them prepare b...
Alzheimer's disease is a big mystery. It is a neurodegenerative condition that affects millions worldwide. Scientists are always on the lookout for new ways to understand it better. Recently, they've been exploring an unexpected connection. They are looking at the link between blood platelets and the fluids that bathe the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is cal...
Moyamoya angiopathy is a puzzling condition that affects the blood vessels in the brain. It's a rare disorder that can strike both kids and young adults. The main issue is that the carotid arteries in the brain gradually become blocked. This can lead to two serious problems: ischemic strokes, which happen when blood flow to the brain is cut off, and hemorrhagic strok...
The brain operates differently compared to other parts of the body. The brain is different from the rest of the body. It has a special compartment filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is like a protective cushion. The brain also lacks lymphatic vessels, which are usually found in other parts of the body. Instead, the brain has a unique system for draining...
Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are serious business. They can be deadly and often strike without warning. Doctors are always on the lookout for better ways to detect these infections early. Recently, there's been a lot of buzz about a substance called presepsin (sCD14) found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Some experts think it could be a game-changer i...
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a nasty infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. It's caused by the same bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB) in the lungs. One big problem with TBM is that it's hard to detect. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, doesn't have many bacteria in it. This makes it tough to...
Have you ever struggled to use both hands at the same time? Now, imagine if this was a daily challenge. People with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, or iNPH, face this very issue. This condition messes with the way cerebrospinal fluid flows, leading to balance and walking problems. You might think of it as a neurological disease that's really hard to fix. P...
The human brain is capable of remarkable transformations, and one of the most profound examples of this is the reorganization of the mother's brain during pregnancy. A recent study used precision MRI scans to capture the sweeping changes that occur in a woman's brain from before conception to two years after childbirth. The findings, which have been hailed as "truly ...