blood-brain barrier
Brain's selective membrane
The blood-brain barrier is a selective membrane separating circulating blood from brain tissue, preventing most substances from passing into the brain.
It protects the central nervous system from pathogens and toxins while allowing essential nutrients through.
Many drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, which complicates treatment of brain diseases: The medication doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier.
Star-shaped brain support cells
- basement membraneExtracellular matrix beneath epithelia
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
- gliaNon-neuronal brain cells
- microgliaCNS immune cells
Safeguarding neurons from damage
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
filtration · selectivity · gatekeeping · central nervous system · neurotoxins · heavy metals · bacteria
Forceful interruption of process
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- leakageUnintended fluid escape
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- Alzheimer'sDegenerative brain disease
multiple sclerosis · meningitis · Parkinson's · epilepsy · sepsis · hypoxia · ischemia · encephalitis
Passive molecular spreading
- transportersVehicles that convey cargo
- effluxOutward flow of fluid
- influxSudden large arrival
- penetrationEntry into something
solubility · permeate · drug delivery · pharmacokinetics · nanoparticles · liposomes
Immune signaling proteins
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- interleukinsImmune cell signaling proteins
- monocytesCirculating immune phagocytes
- inflammatory responseBody's reaction to injury
astrocytes
Star-shaped brain support cells
- basement membraneExtracellular matrix beneath epithelia
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
- gliaNon-neuronal brain cells
neuroprotection
Safeguarding neurons from damage
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
homeostasis · filtration · selectivity · gatekeeping · central nervous system · neurotoxins · heavy metals · bacteria
disruption
Forceful interruption of process
Alzheimer's · multiple sclerosis · meningitis · Parkinson's · epilepsy · sepsis · hypoxia · ischemia · encephalitis · glioblastoma
diffusion
Passive molecular spreading
- transportersVehicles that convey cargo
- effluxOutward flow of fluid
- influxSudden large arrival
penetration · solubility · permeate · drug delivery · pharmacokinetics · nanoparticles · liposomes
cytokines
Immune signaling proteins
- T-cellsThymus-matured immune lymphocytes
- interleukinsImmune cell signaling proteins
- monocytesCirculating immune phagocytes
- nervous systemneurons, nerves, spinal cord, axon, dendrite
- neurologyneuron, neurons, synapse, synapses, axon
- Neuroimmunologymultiple sclerosis, myelin, transverse myelitis, relapsing-remitting, CNS
- brain circulationcerebral artery, carotid artery, jugular vein, sinus drainage, cerebral aneurysm
- brain metabolismglycolysis, lactate, pyruvate, mitochondria, metabolic rate
- Head VesselsSCA, carotid sinus, carotid body