Charting a Path

Intracranial dynamics describes the interactions of blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and deformable brain tissue. While the physical properties of cranial fluids and brain porosity are known, no comprehensive mathematical model currently exists to describe the pulsating vasculature in the brain or the CSF flow these pulsations induce. Quantification of force interactions between blood, CSF, and the brain is necessary to understand normal dynamics as well as pathological conditions affecting the human brain. A mathematical model of the human brain was constructed to quantify these forces and understand the complex patterns of CSF flow. In other words, we want to discover the path the CSF charts throughout the central nervous system. The image shows human brain ventricles with the direction of CSF flow indicated by colored arrows. The colored arrows also indicate relevant information for drug delivery therapy—residence time. Models such as these hold promise for designing more effective drug treatments in the central nervous system.