ABSTRACT
Disorders of the volume, pressure or circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lead to disease states in both newborns and adults; despite this significance, there is uncertainty regarding the basic mechanics of the CSF. The suboccipital muscles connect to the dura surrounding the spinal cord, forming a complex termed the ‘myodural bridge’. This study tests the hypothesis that the myodural bridge functions to alter the CSF circulation. The suboccipital muscles of American alligators were surgically exposed and electrically stimulated simultaneously with direct recordings of CSF pressure and flow. Contraction of the suboccipital muscles significantly changed both CSF flow and pressure. By demonstrating another influence on CSF circulation and pulsatility, the present study increases our understanding of the mechanics underlying the movement of the CSF.
Footnotes
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing or financial interests.
Author contributions
Conceptualization: B.A.Y., J.A., J.M.B., K.-A.M., R.S., T.K.; Methodology: B.A.Y., J.M.B., T.K.; Validation: B.A.Y., K.-A.M., T.K.; Formal analysis: B.A.Y., K.-A.M., T.K.; Investigation: B.A.Y., T.K.; Resources: J.M.B.; Data curation: B.A.Y.; Writing - original draft: B.A.Y.; Writing - review & editing: J.A., J.M.B., K.-A.M., R.S., T.K.; Visualization: J.A.; Supervision: B.A.Y.; Project administration: B.A.Y.
Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
- Received June 10, 2020.
- Accepted October 11, 2020.
- © 2020. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd
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