Changes in the cerebrospinal fluid circulatory system of the developing rat: quantitative volumetric analysis and effect on blood-CSF permeability interpretation.

Background: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulatory system is involved in neuroimmune regulation, cerebral detoxification, and delivery of various endogenous and exogenous substances. In conjunction with the choroid plexuses, which form the main barrier site between blood and CSF, this fluid participates in controlling the environment of the developing brain. The lack of comprehensive data on developmental changes in CSF volume and distribution impairs our understanding of CSF contribution to brain development, and limits the interpretation of blood-CSF permeability data.