The stroke byproduct acrolein activates the precursor of heparanase, an enzyme that degrades the glycocalyx in the blood-brain barrier. Read More
Human brain endothelial cells used to generate lab models of the human blood-brain barrier were missing several key proteins found in natural endothelial cells. The cells had more in common with epithelial, a type of cell not normally found in the brain. The findings put into question over a decade worth of lab-based research on the BBB. Read More
A new nanoparticle drug-delivery system resulted in unprecedented siRNA penetration across the intact blood-brain barrier. Researchers say the system could help doctors to treat secondary injuries associated with TBI that can result in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders. Read More
Study reveals the important role astrocytes play in maintaining blood-brain barrier health. Read More
Tufts researchers have developed neurotransmitter-lipid hybrids that help transport therapeutic drugs and gene editing proteins across the blood-brain barrier in mice. Read More
Elevated pulse pressure in blood traveling to the brain causes inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the blood-brain barrier that leads to brain damage. Read More
APOE4, a gene implicated as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, triggers leaks in the blood-brain barrier. The damage to capillaries APOE4 causes correlates with increased levels of cyclophilin, a protein that causes the inflammation that is a signature of early Alzheimer's. Read More
Researchers have developed a cyclic peptide that can enhance blood-brain barrier penetration. Read More
Combining focused ultrasound with microbubble treatments weakens the connection between blood-brain barrier cells, effectively allowing for better delivery and absorption of drug treatments. Read More
Chronic stress can affect a person's health and mental well being. Due to the COVID-19 virus, chronic stress is on the rise worldwide. Researchers examine the general and psychological health implications of chronic stress and suggest some methods we can adopt to keep our stress levels in check. Read More
Microglia initially protects the blood-brain barrier from damage due to systemic inflammation. However, microglia can alter their behavior and increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, thus damaging it. Read More
In order to treat those with treatment-resistant depression, researchers suggest the integrity of the blood-brain barrier be restored. Read More