To ensure that there was no oedema in the brain, we measured the brain water content (Additional file 1: Figure S1). There were no significant changes in water content in the CNS. Only the left TG showed an increase of 10 % at 48 h after CFA application onto the dura. This also supports the permeability studies as a lowered permeability in the BBB, most likely would have led to increased water content.