Cerebrospinal Fluid: The Potential for Molecular Disease-Related and Drug-Related Biomarkers

Dear Colleagues,

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. It is a colorless, transparent liquid filling the ventricles of the brain, subarachnoid space, as well as the canal of the spinal cord. It plays an important role in preserving CNS homeostasis. Sustaining this homeostasis is ensured by the presence of two barriers, i.e., the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). To some extent, these two barriers isolate the CNS from the blood environment, which is characterized by relatively large dynamics of change. BCSFB is functionally limited to the choroid plexus and involves a non-linear interaction between the diffusion of blood proteins into the CSF and its flow rate. The BBB is a physical barrier with a tight location between blood and nervous tissue.

Due to the fact that CSF is the closest fluid to the brain, it directly reflects alterations within the CNS and, thus, provides a valuable opportunity to detect CNS diseases of various etiologies. The molecular analysis of CSF could also be useful in evaluating the progress of and prognosis for particular CNS diseases. Finally, by indicating and measuring drug-related biomarkers, the most effective therapeutic strategy could be designated. Therefore, we call for original papers, reviews, and other forms of scientific communication to provide new findings regarding the CSF-related molecular biomarkers, which could be useful in early diagnosis, disease prevention, drug target identification, drug response, etc., in both primary and secondary diseases that affect CNS. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, central nervous system diseases caused by trauma, infections, COVID-19, degeneration, structural defects, CNS tumors, hematological malignancies, autoimmune diseases, trigeminal neuralgia, cerebrovascular disorder, and stroke. Molecular biomarkers related to the blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier are also welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Joanna Matowicka-Karna
Dr. Olga M. Koper-Lenkiewicz
Dr. Joanna Kamińska
Dr. Ewa Kowalewska
Guest Editors

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