Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a specialized vascular structure that serves to restrict the passage of most molecules from the systemic circulation into the CNS. A functional BBB is present shortly after vascularization of the developing embryonic brain and an intact barrier is crucial for proper neuronal function. This barrier is regulated and maintained via inputs from a number of different cell types, including endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, neurons, and microglia, that are collectively known as the neurovascular unit. Disruption or opening of the BBB often proves deleterious and exacerbates CNS disorders such as Alzheimer disease, epilepsy, and stroke. The BBB is critical for CNS homeostasis, but it also presents a significant obstacle for drug delivery to the CNS.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Primer on Cerebrovascular Diseases |
Subtitle of host publication | Second Edition |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 51-56 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780128030585 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 7 2017 |
Keywords
- Angiogenesis
- Astrocyte
- BBB
- CNS
- Endothelial cell
- Microglia
- NVU
- Neuron
- Pericyte
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience