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So Wyss-Coray's team injected some FGF17 directly into the brains of old mice. More tests revealed that the cells were responding to a growth factor called FGF17, which dwindles with age. These cells make the myelin sheath that insulates wiring in the brain. But why? Genetic tests showed that something in spinal fluid was rejuvenating specialized cells in the hippocampus, an area that's important to memory. The old mice began to remember as well as young ones. WYSS-CORAY: We were hoping that by mimicking a young environment that the brain would respond to that with better function. WYSS-CORAY: She collected spinal fluid from young mice and then infuse it into the brains of old mice. So Wyss-Coray had a researcher named Tal Iram try an experiment. After all, brain cells depend on this fluid, and its composition changes dramatically as an animal gets older. HAMILTON: Wyss-Coray thought one reason might involve the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. A few days later, they can't remember that they were in a bad environment. TONY WYSS-CORAY: When they're old, they keep forgetting about this. Tony Wyss-Coray of Stanford University says when mice are young, they will remember a painful experience for weeks. JON HAMILTON, BYLINE: Mice, like people, tend to develop memory problems as they age. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports on a study of forgetful mice treated with a substance found in spinal fluid. Complications, such as meningitis, can arise if the condition is inadequately addressed.Next up, scientists are trying a new approach to reversing memory loss. This approach involves performing a craniotomy, a procedure in which a section of skull is temporarily removed, so that the neurosurgeon can access the brain and repair the leak.Īlthough surgery is rarely needed, a proper diagnosis and expert management of nonsurgical treatment are essential. Sometimes traditional open surgery is best for the patient and therefore performed instead.
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Using an endoscope, the surgeon repairs the CSF leak without making any visible incisions. Many patients are good candidates for endoscopic neurosurgery through the nose or mouth, which is a minimally invasive technique. If the condition does not heal without further intervention, surgery to repair the leak is necessary. If intracranial pressure is high, patients may have a lumbar drain placed in the lumbar area of the spine, allowing small amounts of CSF to drip out and preventing further injury to any damaged tissues. Medications such as pain relievers, steroids, or antibiotics may also be prescribed. Patients are simply instructed to get a week or two of bed rest and drink plenty of fluids, particularly caffeinated beverages because caffeine stimulates the production of CSF. Our neurosurgeons take a conservative, noninvasive treatment approach first because most CSF conditions heal on their own without surgical intervention.
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Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head to view leak location and produce detailed images of skull anatomy and tissue.A combination of diagnostic tests is typically used to provide a diagnosis and also detect the location of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) condition.