Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (656 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A villous structure of tangled masses of blood vessels contained within the third, lateral, and fourth ventricles of the brain. It regulates part of the production and composition of cerebrospinal fluid.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Plexus, Choroid; Chorioid Plexus; Plexus, Chorioid; Plexus Choroideus; Choroideus, Plexus.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Cerebral Ventricles
- See also
- Cerebral Ventriculography
Related concepts
- Blood Vessels
- Brain
- Cerebrospinal Fluid
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 5,809 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Choroid Plexus” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 849 of them (14.6%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 3,345 records.
Reviews account for 520 records (9.0%) and meta-analyses for 16. Randomized controlled trials number 13 (0.2%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 3,345 |
| 2000-2009 | 814 |
| 2010-2019 | 801 |
| 2020 onward | 849 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 520 | 9.0% |
| Meta-analyses | 16 | 0.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 13 | 0.2% |
Method: PubMed query "Choroid Plexus"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in neuroscience
Neuroscience draws on tools with different strengths: cellular and animal work can manipulate circuits directly, while human imaging and electrophysiology observe the living brain at lower resolution. Small imaging studies are prone to false positives, and findings in animals do not always carry over to people. Clinical neurology and psychiatry rely on trials and cohort studies whose outcomes are often symptom scales. Check the species, the sample size, how the outcome was measured and whether results were replicated.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARS-CoV-2 Infects the Brain Choroid Plexus and Disrupts the Blood-CSF Barrier in Human Brain Organoids | 2020 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 453 | cc by PMID 33113348 · DOI · PMC7553118 |
| Generation of functional hippocampal neurons from self-organizing human embryonic stem cell-derived dorsomedial telencephalic tissue | 2015 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 426 | cc by PMID 26573335 · DOI · PMC4660208 |
| Choroid plexus and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in disease | 2020 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 291 | cc by PMID 32375819 · DOI · PMC7201396 |
| Choroid plexus enlargement associates with serum neurofilament and predicts relapse-free progression in multiple sclerosis | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 41666922 · DOI · PMC12923943 |
SARS-CoV-2 Infects the Brain Choroid Plexus and Disrupts the Blood-CSF Barrier in Human Brain Organoids [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, leads to respiratory symptoms that can be fatal.
- Closing excerpt
- Finally, we show that infection with SARS-CoV-2 damages the choroid plexus epithelium, leading to leakage across this important barrier that normally prevents entry of pathogens, immune cells, and cytokines into cerebrospinal fluid and the brain.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (153 words)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, leads to respiratory symptoms that can be fatal. However, neurological symptoms have also been observed in some patients. The cause of these complications is currently unknown. Here, we use human-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived brain organoids to examine SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism. We find expression of viral receptor ACE2 in mature choroid plexus cells expressing abundant lipoproteins, but not in neurons or other cell types. We challenge organoids with SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovirus and live virus to demonstrate viral tropism for choroid plexus epithelial cells but little to no infection of neurons or glia. We find that infected cells are apolipoprotein- and ACE2-expressing cells of the choroid plexus epithelial barrier. Finally, we show that infection with SARS-CoV-2 damages the choroid plexus epithelium, leading to leakage across this important barrier that normally prevents entry of pathogens, immune cells, and cytokines into cerebrospinal fluid and the brain.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 33113348 · DOI · PMC7553118
Generation of functional hippocampal neurons from self-organizing human embryonic stem cell-derived dorsomedial telencephalic tissue [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The developing dorsomedial telencephalon includes the medial pallium, which goes on to form the hippocampus.
- Closing excerpt
- Thus, we have developed an in vitro model that recapitulates human hippocampus development, allowing the generation of functional hippocampal granule- and pyramidal-like neurons.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (149 words)
The developing dorsomedial telencephalon includes the medial pallium, which goes on to form the hippocampus. Generating a reliable source of human hippocampal tissue is an important step for cell-based research into hippocampus-related diseases. Here we show the generation of functional hippocampal granule- and pyramidal-like neurons from self-organizing dorsomedial telencephalic tissue using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). First, we develop a hESC culture method that utilizes bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt signalling to induce choroid plexus, the most dorsomedial portion of the telencephalon. Then, we find that titrating BMP and Wnt exposure allowed the self-organization of medial pallium tissues. Following long-term dissociation culture, these dorsomedial telencephalic tissues give rise to Zbtb20(+)/Prox1(+) granule neurons and Zbtb20(+)/KA1(+) pyramidal neurons, both of which were electrically functional with network formation. Thus, we have developed an in vitro model that recapitulates human hippocampus development, allowing the generation of functional hippocampal granule- and pyramidal-like neurons.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26573335 · DOI · PMC4660208
Choroid plexus and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in disease [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The choroid plexus (CP) forming the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (B-CSF) barrier is among the least studied structures of the central nervous system (CNS) despite its clinical importance.
- Closing excerpt
- This review describes and summarizes the current state of knowledge with regard to the roles of the CP and B-CSF barrier in the pathophysiology of various types of CNS diseases and sets up the foundation for further avenues of research.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (196 words)
The choroid plexus (CP) forming the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (B-CSF) barrier is among the least studied structures of the central nervous system (CNS) despite its clinical importance. The CP is an epithelio-endothelial convolute comprising a highly vascularized stroma with fenestrated capillaries and a continuous lining of epithelial cells joined by apical tight junctions (TJs) that are crucial in forming the B-CSF barrier. Integrity of the CP is critical for maintaining brain homeostasis and B-CSF barrier permeability. Recent experimental and clinical research has uncovered the significance of the CP in the pathophysiology of various diseases affecting the CNS. The CP is involved in penetration of various pathogens into the CNS, as well as the development of neurodegenerative (e.g., Alzheimer´s disease) and autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis). Moreover, the CP was shown to be important for restoring brain homeostasis following stroke and trauma. In addition, new diagnostic methods and treatment of CP papilloma and carcinoma have recently been developed. This review describes and summarizes the current state of knowledge with regard to the roles of the CP and B-CSF barrier in the pathophysiology of various types of CNS diseases and sets up the foundation for further avenues of research.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32375819 · DOI · PMC7201396
Choroid plexus enlargement associates with serum neurofilament and predicts relapse-free progression in multiple sclerosis [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The choroid plexus (CP), a key regulator of cerebrospinal fluid production and immune cell trafficking, is increasingly recognized as a potential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Closing excerpt
- These findings identify CP imaging as a promising non-invasive biomarker of neuroaxonal loss and relapse-free progression.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (158 words)
The choroid plexus (CP), a key regulator of cerebrospinal fluid production and immune cell trafficking, is increasingly recognized as a potential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) serves as a sensitive blood-based indicator of neuroaxonal injury. We investigate the prognostic value of CP volume and its longitudinal change for neurodegeneration, defined by sNfL levels and disability progression. In a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal study, 891 people with MS undergo high-resolution 3T MRI, sNfL measurement, and clinical assessment over 6 years; 434 meet criteria for inclusion. CP volume correlates with sNfL after adjustment for demographic, clinical, treatment, and imaging variables. In a 2-year MRI subcohort (n = 209), CP enlargement likewise associates with sNfL. High CP volume confers a 1.8-fold increased risk of disability worsening and a 2.7-fold increased risk of progression independent of relapse activity. These findings identify CP imaging as a promising non-invasive biomarker of neuroaxonal loss and relapse-free progression.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41666922 · DOI · PMC12923943
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Development and functions of the choroid plexus-cerebrospinal fluid system [5]
- Research article Cerebrospinal fluid secretion by the choroid plexus [6]
- Research article A balanced view of the cerebrospinal fluid composition and functions: Focus on adult humans [7]
- Research article Physiology of the choroid plexus [8]
- Research article Molecular mechanisms of cerebrospinal fluid production [9]
- Research article Myeloid Cells in the Central Nervous System [10]
References
- Pellegrini L, Albecka A, Mallery DL, Kellner MJ, Paul D, Carter AP, et al.. SARS-CoV-2 Infects the Brain Choroid Plexus and Disrupts the Blood-CSF Barrier in Human Brain Organoids. . 2020. PMID 33113348 · DOI · PMC7553118
- Sakaguchi H, Kadoshima T, Soen M, Narii N, Ishida Y, Ohgushi M, et al.. Generation of functional hippocampal neurons from self-organizing human embryonic stem cell-derived dorsomedial telencephalic tissue. . 2015. PMID 26573335 · DOI · PMC4660208
- Solár P, Zamani A, Kubíčková L, Dubový P, Joukal M. Choroid plexus and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in disease. . 2020. PMID 32375819 · DOI · PMC7201396
- Fleischer V, Schraad M, Gonzalez-Escamilla G, Schneider R, Brummer T, Steffen F, et al.. Choroid plexus enlargement associates with serum neurofilament and predicts relapse-free progression in multiple sclerosis. . 2026. PMID 41666922 · DOI · PMC12923943
- Lun MP, Monuki ES, Lehtinen MK. Development and functions of the choroid plexus-cerebrospinal fluid system. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2015. PMID 26174708 · DOI · PMC4629451
- Damkier HH, Brown PD, Praetorius J. Cerebrospinal fluid secretion by the choroid plexus. Physiol Rev. 2013. PMID 24137023 · DOI
- Spector R, Robert Snodgrass S, Johanson CE. A balanced view of the cerebrospinal fluid composition and functions: Focus on adult humans. Exp Neurol. 2015. PMID 26247808 · DOI
- Cserr HF. Physiology of the choroid plexus. Physiol Rev. 1971. PMID 4930496 · DOI
- Brown PD, Davies SL, Speake T, Millar ID. Molecular mechanisms of cerebrospinal fluid production. Neuroscience. 2004. PMID 15561411 · DOI · PMC1890044
- Herz J, Filiano AJ, Wiltbank AT, Yogev N, Kipnis J. Myeloid Cells in the Central Nervous System. Immunity. 2017. PMID 28636961 · DOI · PMC5657250
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.