Using High-Resolution Mouse Vasculature Data to Develop Realistic Simulations of Brain Waste Clearance

Abstract

The glymphatic system refers to a network of perivascular spaces (annular channels around vasculature) that carries CSF through the brain. CSF then mixes with interstitial fluid (ISF) in the brain and flows to perivenous spaces that exit the brain. To better understand the glymphatic system, many attempts have been made to visualize and model this system. However, many fluid flow models use idealized grids due to the difficulty in visualizing the realistic details of the glymphatic system. To enhance the accuracy of current idealized fluid flow models, we are developing a realistic model of waste clearance in the brain. Vasculature maps with capillary resolution were obtained from the Kim Laboratory at Penn State University, who imaged and reconstructed entire mouse brains using tissue clearing and light sheet microscopy. From the raw data, various sorting algorithms and graphing techniques were employed to sort the data into interconnected vasculature. We developed an algorithm that produces realistic visualizations of the mouse brain vasculature for fluid flow simulation. Ultimately, an imaging technique was developed, and it will be extended to accommodate various metrics and simulation needs. This imaging and simulation technique will be featured in future publications by the Tithof Laboratory.