Obstructive hydrocephalus produces significant decrease in brain neurogenesis

In a group of mice, has been identified that their brain presents degenerative changes similar to aging after two months that their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) stopped circulating normally within the body and starts to accumulate, as reported by a Mexican group of researchers at the University of Colima (UCOL).

These degenerative changes also affect neurogenic niches, which are two regions of the mammalian brain where new neurons are produced throughout life.

"The finding suggests that this kind of degeneration is quite similar to the human brain when it begins to age. This research aims to design an experimental rodent model in which the flow of CSF is obstructed, similar to a condition that affects humans, which aims to study the effects on different brain areas," said PhD in physiological sciences Oscar González Pérez, head of the research.

Experts also performed histological and electron microscopic analysis to discern changes in the neural tissue. Additionally they made some measurements and comparisons with the human brain of patients suffering from a type of hydrocephalus.

"One of the first conclusions is that obstructive hydrocephalus generates degenerative changes in certain brain areas, which characteristics are very similar to premature aging of the central nervous system," explains the researcher at UCOL.

Obstructive hydrocephalus is the progressive accumulation of CSF caused by a blockage in the natural flow within the central nervous system and its effects on nerve cells have not been completely clarified. This condition is the accumulation of the fluid that coats the brain and that under certain conditions can accumulate, compressing the organ and causing several problems.

This research is conducted in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, USA, and the Cavanilles Institute of Valencia, Spain. It also had the support of various funds from the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT) in Mexico.

Based on this work, Dr. Gonzalez suggested as key findings that chronic obstructive hydrocephalus produces a significant decrease in brain neurogenesis, ie, in the birth of new neurons. Furthermore, this hydrocephalus is capable of inducing similar degenerative changes in the tissue as with aging, which is mainly characterized by an increase of proteins called fractones occupying the inter cellular spaces in the brain.

"The changes observed in mice are apparently happening in the human. What is missing is to analyze the brain of patients with hydrocephalus to see if there is a correlation with what happens to the mouse. However, imaging studies suggest that similar changes occur. "

What was performed at the laboratory is the experimental model where researcher mimic obstructive hydrocephalus in mammals as happens in humans when cysticercoids, tumors, malformations or infections obstruct the flow of CSF and it accumulates within the brain.

"In mice, what we did was simulate this pathological event with the intention to analyze the effect of the progressive accumulation of CSF on brain integrity. We proceeded to observe the changes taking place and found the degeneration of neurons, inflammation, as well as disorders within the brain. The intention is that the information gives us clues to what happens in humans with the idea of stablishing ​​preventive therapies. "

Finally, the specialist at UCOL points out that they have found that there is degeneration in the brain, substantially reducing the birth of neurons and making the organ look aged. What they don't know is what chemical substances, at the molecular level, are triggering this reaction. Once the chemical mediators are known they could be neutralized.