Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism · Jun 1, 2026

Meningeal CSF transport varies across parasagittal dura subregions with age in humans

By Malis V, Jung HN, Kuwatsuru Y et al.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) transport along meningeal pathways contributes to brain fluid homeostasis and is thought to change with aging, yet quantitative, region-resolved measurements across lifespan remain limited. We hypothesized that meningeal CSF transport dynamics exhibit region-specific age associations rather than uniform decline. We applied non-contrast time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) MRI combined with a bi-component analytical model to characterize CSF transport dynamics in a healthy, activity-controlled cohort of 64 adults aged 19-86 years. Signal increase ratio time courses were decomposed into a fast Gaussian bulk-displacement and a slower Γ-variate perfusion-like component. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess regional and age-related effects. Model fits were robust across all participants (R² = 0.97). CSF transport metrics differed significantly across parasagittal dura subregions and the superior sagittal sinus. Age associations were heterogeneous: the perfusion-like component declined with age in upper parasagittal dura, increased in lower parasagittal regions, and remained relatively stable within the superior sagittal sinus. Additional timing and amplitude parameters exhibited region-specific age trajectories. These findings demonstrate regionally heterogeneous aging effects on meningeal CSF transport dynamics and suggest age-related redistribution rather than uniform decline, providing a noninvasive framework for assessing physiological remodeling of CSF transport with aging.

doi.org/10.1177/0271678x261455452 Open access PubMed 42219987 Mechanisms