The present invention provides methods and systems for conditioning
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The methods provide for efficiently removing target compounds from CSF. The systems provide for a multilumen flow path and exchange of a majority volume portion of CSF in the CSF space. The removal and / or delivery of specific compounds can be tailored to the
pathology of the specific
disease. The removal is targeted and specific, for example, through the use of specific size-exclusion thresholds, antibodies against specific toxins, and other chromatographic techniques, as well as delivery and / or removal of targeted therapeutic agents. The invention finds use as a diagnostic, therapeutic and
drug delivery platform for a variety of diseases affecting the CNS by accessing the CSF space. Exemplified
disease conditions treatable by the present CSF
processing systems and methods include, but are not limited to:
Cerebral Vasospasm, Guillain Bane Syndrome, illustrating multi-lumen
lumbar approach Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's,
Multiple Sclerosis,
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,
Spinal Cord Injury,
Traumatic Brain Injury,
Stroke,
Cancer affecting the brain or
spinal cord, Prion
disease,
Encephalitis from various causes,
Meningitis from various causes, diseases secondary to enzymatic or metabolic imbalances,
Biological Warfare, etc. For the first time, the present invention offers patients a disease-modifying, disruptive technology treatment platform that addresses the known
disease pathogenesis of a number of neurologic conditions to which there are presently limited and ineffective
treatment options.