Influence of neurodegenerative and neuroimmune disorders on choroid plexus structure

The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which protects the central nervous system from mechanical insult, and is instrumentally involved in the supply of nutrients and the removal of metabolic waste. The choroid plexus is a secretory tissue attached to the walls of the brain ventricles, it serves as a tunable barrier to immune cells and is the primary site of CSF production. Several neurodegenerative and neuroimmune disorders are associated with changes in CSF homeostasis and disruption of the choroid plexus’ blood-CSF barrier function.

In this project, we propose to image the anatomical changes of the choroid plexus in mouse disease models of multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. We will quantify the morphological changes and publish numerical data on key functional parameters such as surface area, volume, epithelial thickness, and vascularization, and analyze their impact on the transport of immune cells or clearance of plaque precursors.