Aims and scope

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers manuscripts on all CNS fluids and barrier systems in health and disease.

Homeostatic maintenance of the internal environment of the nervous system through normal functioning of brain fluids and barriers is vital for health of the organism. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), its composition, circulation and absorption, has multiple roles in both normal and abnormal brain function and is closely associated with the parenchymal interstitial fluid and the neurovascular unit at the blood-brain barrier. The CNS fluids and barrier systems including the blood-CSF barrier, the blood-brain barrier, the blood-retinal barrier and the blood-nerve barriers, perform functions such as fluid secretion, chemical signalling, physical and chemical buffering, specialised directional transport and facilitation of immune surveillance.

The fluids and barrier systems are important in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders such as congenital and perinatal hydrocephalus and neural tube defects, in aging and aging disorders such dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Throughout life they have an important role in brain inflammation, brain injury and repair, and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The CSF can be used for the diagnosis of neurological diseases, and together with the blood-brain barrier, as a route for drug delivery to the brain.

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS  provides a dedicated avenue for the dissemination of research into all molecular, physiological and pharmacological aspects of brain fluids and barrier systems and their role in neurological disorders. Brain fluids and barriers in general, are subject areas that have not previously had a specialist publishing platform. Until recently, articles have been published in a variety of different journals. This journal provides a dedicated platform, offering high-quality peer-review of manuscripts. It brings together basic science and clinical experts in brain fluids and barrier systems, promotes synthesis, dialogue and translational research.