Multiscale Modelling for Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics: Multicompartmental Poroelacticity and the Role of AQP4

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is recognized to play an important role in the brain environment and central nerv­ous system (CNS). At the microscopic level, glial cells and water channel proteins (WCPs), also known as aquaporins (AQPs), are believed to be central in regulating CSF. Furthermore, such elements are postulated to associate with numerous cerebral and neurological pathologies. The novelty of the present research is the attempt to investigate such pathophysi­ological phenomena via a multi scale physical model incorporating mechanisms across all scales, including the AQP effects. The proposed physical multiscale model can explore the relationship between CSF and glial cells via the incorporation of AQPs (as microscopic channels) and elaborate on the macroscopic manifestations of this interplay. This study aims to make a tangible contribution to the understanding of cerebral or neurological pathologies via virtual physiological human (VPH) in silico.