Integrating CSF flow and glymphatic system insights into neurovascular disorders: From imaging to interventions

Recent advances in neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) research have significantly expanded our understanding of the complex interactions between CSF dynamics, glymphatic function, cerebral circulation, and neurovascular disease. Increasing evidence suggests that disruption of CSF flow and glymphatic pathways may contribute to the pathophysiology of a broad spectrum of neurological disorders, including subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), ischemic stroke, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), CSF-venous fistulas (CVFs), vascular cognitive impairment, and other cerebrovascular conditions.

Particular attention has recently been directed toward disorders involving intracranial pressure dysregulation and impaired brain clearance systems. Within this evolving framework, CSF-venous fistulas are increasingly recognized as an important subtype within the spectrum of spontaneous intracranial hypotension, while disorders such as IIH may represent the opposite end of CSF pressure and flow dysregulation. In parallel, growing evidence indicates that glymphatic dysfunction may influence ischemic injury, small vessel disease, neuroinflammation, and recovery following stroke and other neurovascular disorders.

At the same time, emerging imaging modalities and interventions are providing new opportunities to visualize, characterize, and potentially modulate these mechanisms in clinical practice. Advanced MRI techniques, dynamic myelographic imaging, perfusion imaging, vessel wall imaging, and therapeutic approaches are increasingly integrated into the evaluation and treatment of neurovascular diseases.

This Research Topic aims to bring together multidisciplinary perspectives on CSF flow, glymphatic physiology, neurovascular pathophysiology, and related imaging and therapeutic advances. We welcome original research articles, reviews, technical reports, case series, and perspective articles addressing topics including, but not limited to:

Glymphatic dysfunction in neurovascular disorders
CSF dynamics in subarachnoid hemorrhage and ischemic stroke
Imaging evaluation of glymphatic pathways and perivascular spaces
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension and CSF pressure dysregulation
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension and CSF-venous fistulas
Atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease and cerebral perfusion
Advances in dynamic myelography and neurovascular imaging
Interventions related to CSF circulation disorders
Biomarkers and translational research related to CSF and glymphatic physiology
Experimental and computational models of CSF flow and neurovascular coupling

By integrating insights from neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neurology, stroke medicine, and basic neuroscience, this collection seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of this rapidly evolving field and stimulate future collaborative research across traditionally separate disciplines.

This Research Topic welcomes all article types, including original research, systematic reviews, case series, FAIR² Data Articles, and technical reports spanning imaging, mechanistic, and interventional domains.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Neuroradiology, Imaging and neurovascular interventions, Glymphatic dysfunction, CSF–glymphatic alterations

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.