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
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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
Neuroengineers have developed a new, non-toxic, biodegradable device that can help transport vital medications to the brain by locally opening the blood-brain barrier with ultrasound. Read More
Older mice given anti-inflammatory medication were better able to learn new tasks and became almost as adept at learning as mice half their age. Read More
A synthesized small-molecule drug blocks the TGF-beta receptor in astrocytes and traverses the blood-brain barrier in mice. When administered, the drug lowered receptor activity to that seen in younger mice and reduced inflammation. The aged mice were able to navigate mazes and learn spatial tasks as well as younger mice. Read More
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chemicals commonly used during the 20th century as flame retardants and in industrial products, disrupt the performance of astrocytes, leading to impaired function. Environmental exposure to PCBs could contribute to a range of neurodegenerative diseases. Read More
