About
My research project
Computational Modelling of Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics is Dogs with Brachycephaly associated Chiari-like Malformation and SyringomyeliaIn mammals, cerebrospinal fluid facilitates metabolite distribution within the brain, regulated by a complex system of fluid channels within the central nervous system. As such, flow dysregulation can be extremely detrimental to, and even incompatible with, life. Dysregulation may be induced by CSF associated disorders such as Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia, of which brachycephalic dog breeds are particularly predisposed. In these cases, there is no effective long-term pharmaceutical treatment, and surgical intervention is associated with poor long-term postoperative outcome. There exists no consensus on surgical treatment modality. This project aims to develop a computational model of the entire cranio-spinal CSF cavity to simulate flow dynamics, and the response of diseased models to various surgical interventions.
Supervisors
In mammals, cerebrospinal fluid facilitates metabolite distribution within the brain, regulated by a complex system of fluid channels within the central nervous system. As such, flow dysregulation can be extremely detrimental to, and even incompatible with, life. Dysregulation may be induced by CSF associated disorders such as Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia, of which brachycephalic dog breeds are particularly predisposed. In these cases, there is no effective long-term pharmaceutical treatment, and surgical intervention is associated with poor long-term postoperative outcome. There exists no consensus on surgical treatment modality. This project aims to develop a computational model of the entire cranio-spinal CSF cavity to simulate flow dynamics, and the response of diseased models to various surgical interventions.
Publications
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays a crucial role in maintaining brain homeostasis by facilitating the clearance of metabolic waste and regulating intracranial pressure. Dysregulation of CSF flow can lead to conditions like syringomy-elia, and hydrocephalus. This review details the anatomy of CSF flow, examining its contribution to waste clearance within the brain and spinal cord. The review integrates data from human, canine, and other mammalian studies, with a particular focus on brachycephalic dogs. Certain dog breeds exhibit a high prevalence of CSF-related conditions due to artificial selection for neotenous traits, making them valuable models for studying analogous human conditions, such as Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia associated with craniosynostosis. This review discusses the anatomical features specific to some brachycephalic breeds and the impact of skull and cranial cervical conforma-tion on CSF flow patterns, providing insights into the pathophysiology and potential modelling approaches for these conditions.