Skull microchannels, key in neurological diseases

A study has anatomically described the network of tiny channels of the human skull that could have essential functions in brain health. The finding, published in the magazine American Journal of Biological Anthropologyis based on the analysis of 94 human skulls from the mid -twentieth century from northern Spain.

The investigation, carried out by Emiliano Brunerof the National Museum of Natural Sciences-CSIC, has been developed with direct observation techniques on bone material. The study has resulted in First morphological and quantitative description Of these small channels, called microforys.

Although to date they had only been detected through advanced medical image techniques, in this study It has been possible to identify and catalog your presencesize and distribution with an unprecedented level of detail.

Microforys are small vascular ducts, among 0.03 and 2 millimetersthat cross the bones of the skull from its sponge inner layer (diploe) to the endocranial surface, which is the inner face of the skull in contact with the meninges, the membranes that cover and protect the brain.

“The presence of these channels was mentioned in scientific literature in the 90sand three years ago it was revealed that they were involved in the immune and inflammatory response of the brain, but until today we did not have a formal description of their appearance, size and distribution in the human skull, “contextualizes the author of the work, Emiliano Bruner.

A little known vascular anatomy

Until now, these structures had barely identified through histology or image techniques as computerized tomography. And now this study offers the first detailed description of its morphology and distribution through direct observation With simple optical tools, such as a magnifying glass.

Bruner found that the distribution of these microchannels is very variable between individuals: some skulls presented only a few, while others contained hundreds. Besides, “The individual variations are notable, and each subject has a unique pattern in terms of the size and distribution of the microCanals”this expert needs.

The highest density skull areas of these structures are the back of the parietal bones located on the sides and the upper part of the skulland especially along the so -called sagittal suture, which joins both parietal bones in the upper central part of the skull. Many of these vascular microconducts were also detected in the passage regions of the middle meningeal arteries, which transport blood to the meninges.

Although the exact function of these microchannels is not yet known, Several hypotheses are raised based on location and its connections with the cranial vascular system. One possibility is that these vascular microconducts allow the passage of immune cells from the skull bones to the brain, thus contributing to the response against infections or inflammatory processes.

It is also believed that they could play a role in the thermal regulation of the brain, helping to dissipate heat and maintain a stable temperature, essential for its operation. Finally, it is suggested that they could be involved in the glinphathic system, which is responsible for eliminating toxins from the brain during night rest. The alteration of this “Brain cleaning system” He has associated with different pathologies, as Emiliano Bruner points out: “The inflammatory response of the brain is related to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, stroke or depression”.

A structure with millions of years

For researchers, this finding not only has implications for modern medicine, but also for anthropology and human evolution. Structures similar to the microChanages described in this work have also been observed by the Bruner team in fossils of Homo antecessora human species that lived in the Iberian Peninsula more than 800,000 yearsand in Neanderthals, our closest evolutionary relatives.

Which suggests that these structures have been important for thousands of years. In fact, these anatomical elements allow to investigate in a new field that Bruner defines how “Paleoangiology”in reference to the study of anatomy and vascular pathology in extinct species.

“The first time these structures caught my attention was in 2017, when I detected them in a fossil of the Great Dolina de Atapuerca, dated in 800,000 yearsbut I have been studying the craniovascular system for twenty -five years, and I am especially proud to have made this first anatomical description of microforamine (microchannels), because it opens many possibilities for the evolutionary study, but also for medical applications, “Bruner adds.

Future implications and lines of study

This discovery opens a new research route in fields such as neuroscience, anatomy or paleontology. Emiliano Bruner underlines the need to study these microforamines with advanced technologies, such as microtomography or high -resolution magnetic resonance, to better know their role in health and disease.

“The work is now to delve into the possible differences that exist within our speciesbut also in analyzing how these structures have evolved by reviewing the fossil registry of the human race. The challenge is as overwhelming as exciting, “says Bruner.

In addition, this paleobiologist plans to analyze how its presence varies according to factors such as sex, age, population of origin or even the human species, which could help to better understand both our biology and our evolutionary history.

This network of microCanals, until now hidden with the naked eye, could be the key to better understand how our brain works And also how it has evolved. “The possible medical meaning is simply huge,” concludes Emiliano Bruner.