Liquorpheresis

Prof. Menéndez is a neurologist at Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (Oviedo, Spain) and professor of Neurology at Oviedo University. He has a wide research experience in clinical and translational neuroscience at Oviedo University and at the Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias. Prof. Menéndez main field of interest is focused on neurodegenerative diseases, from neuropsychology to neuroimaging and from neurogenetics to phenotypes. In the last few years, he is particularly interested in studying and understanding the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration (genes, and proteins) and in brain clearance systems and the molecular dynamics between cells, the interstitial fluid and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). He is also interested in developing new systems for targeted drug delivery to the CNS and for the filtration of the CSF (liquorpheresis).

Anatomy and Physiology.- The four layers of meninges.- The BBB.- The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the Interstitial fluid (ISF).- Introduction to liquorpheresis.- Clearing the CSF as a therapeutic strategy in neurodegenerative diseases.- Definitions of procedures, including a historical perspective.- Systems and procedures.- Types of procedures and systems.- Classification and definitions of the different types of procedures for mechanical filtration of the CSF.- The mechanism of action.- The regime of usage.- The implantability.- The power for CSF flow.- The CSF filtrating or neutralizing method.- Applications and industry.- Multiple sclerosis, autoimmune encephalitis, and polyradiculomyelitis.- Meningeal carcinomatosis and leptomeningeal metastases.- Infectious diseases.- Viral encephalitis and viral myelitis.- Bacterial meningoencephalitis.- Fungal meningitis and fungal encephalitis.- Brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.- Future advances in liquorpheresis systems and applications.- New technical developments.- New applications.