The interstitial fluid (ISF) in the brain parenchyma is one of the most important ingredients of the microenvironment of the nerve cells and plays an important role in homeostasis of the central neural system. Due to the limitation of the traditional technologies, the possible source, the flow and the drainage process of the ISF remain unclear in many respects. Recently, with the development of the molecular tracing imaging technology and related measurement methods, some new anatomical and physiological parameters of the ISF are identified to provide new insights into the mechanisms of the generation, the drainage of the ISF and its function and clinical applications. The development of technical methods also provide a foundation for the study of the relationship between the ISF and the connectomes. This paper reviews the source, the flow and the drainage of the ISF and its physiological and pathological significance.

interstitial fluid  /  drainage  /  measurement techniques