Reduction in Cerebrospinal Fluid Transport Mediated by Lead Acetate in Vitro in the Superior Sagittal Sinus of the Dog

The cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure (ICP) associated with lead intoxication has been attributed, in part, to changes in cerebral capillary function (1,7). Exposure to lead results in altered blood brain barrier transport and increased capillary permeability (5,6,9). One of the major mechanisms for moderating changes in ICP is absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the arachnoid villi and granulations in the major venous sinuses (2, 11). The final barrier to CSF absorptions is the endothelial cell covering of the villi (11). Based on the premise that lead may interfere with endothelial cell function at the villi, the present work was designed to assess CSF absorption following exposure to lead using the in vitro superior sagittal sinus (13).