Microenvironment in the Central Nervous System

The regulation of the microenvironment in the CNS is critical for neuronal and glial survival, function, and response to injury. This regulation occurs via components of a neurovascular unit that control the functional coupling between neuronal activity and local cerebral blood flow and maintain the blood-brain barrier. Cerebrospinal fluid production, circulation, and interchange with the interstitial fluid are also major factors maintaining the cerebral microenvironment and have an important role in removal of toxic products from the CNS. Impaired regulation of the local blood flow, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and altered cerebrospinal fluid dynamics are common pathophysiological consequences of traumatic, vascular, inflammatory disorders and have an important role in epilepsy and neurodegeneration.