Peter H. Yang, MD

Washington University in St. Louis (WU)

In recent years, CSF circulation has been shown to be differentially regulated by glymphatic mechanisms and lymphatic efflux, with important clinical implications in neurodegenerative disorders and aging. However, these relationships have not been yet explored in the context of neurodevelopment and pediatric neuroscience. Furthermore, there are several neurological diseases that occur during infancy, childhood, and adolescence such as congenital hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, craniosynostosis, pilocytic astrocytoma, and medulloblastoma that concurrently present with disorders of CSF circulation. Therefore we hope to explore the developmental and pathologic regulation of CSF circulation and its contacting structures (dura, arachnoid, ependyma, dural ligaments (e.g. occipitocervical ligament) and surrounding cranial environment (cranial sutures, pericranium). We also hope to determine factors involved in the regulation of tumor growth and tumor interaction within the brain and CSF.