Aquaporins: Bridging Normal Brain Development and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Mechanisms

Homeostasis of water content in the brain during fetal development is of crucial physiological importance. Aquaporins play a critical role in brain water homeostasis, and normal brain development, and have implications for understanding and potentially treating neurodevelopmental disorders. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of aquaporins (AQPs) and their critical roles in the central nervous system (CNS) and various neurodevelopmental disorders. Specifically, AQP4, AQP11 and AQP9 play a crucial role in water transport in the brain, maintaining water homeostasis, and facilitating water movement across cell membranes. The review highlights how disruptions in aquaporin expression and function may contribute to various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and Fragile X syndrome. These disruptions can affect blood-brain barrier integrity, neuroinflammation, and synaptic function, suggesting that AQPs could be potential therapeutic targets for these conditions.