Postural Regulation of Intracranial Pressure: A Critical Review of the Literature

Introduction: Mechanisms underlying postural regulation of ICP remain unclear.

Method: Literature review in Medline 1900-2019 with search terms "Intracranial pressure," "Posture," "Jugular vein," "Collapse," "Regulation," "Physiology," resulting in 40 selected papers.

Results: Postural transition from supine to sitting position results in a biphasic decrease of ICP: a fast decrease during phase 1 (low tilt) followed by a stabilization during phase 2 (higher tilt/erect). Two main factors have been proposed to explain this decrease: (a) Fast CSF transfers from the non-distensible cranial compartment to the distensible spinal compartment during phase 1; the maximal spinal expansion corresponds to phase 2; (b) The gravitational effect within the venous system is transferred to the CSF system according to Davson's equation, modulated by jugular collapse that would be responsible for the stabilization of ICP decrease in phase 2.

Discussion: The impact of CSF transfers, from the cranial to spinal compartment, on postural regulation of ICP, has been well documented. Although they are sophisticated, models that support the major influence of jugular collapse likely underestimate the role of the vertebral venous plexus in cerebral venous outflow in the upright position. Moreover, Davson's equation supports slow CSF transfer from subarachnoid spaces to the venous system (a few mL/min) and thus cannot explain fast postural modulation of ICP (in a few seconds). Further data are thus needed to better understand postural regulation of ICP.