title: The development of the blood-CSF barrier after birth.
abstract: The serum/CSF concentration ratio of alpha-2-macroglobulin is used as parameter to follow the development of the blood-CSF barrier throughout childhood. The decline of the protein permeability within the first year of life has all characteristics of a maturation process. The tightening of the barrier is thought to be the last stage of a continuous developmental process of capillaries. It is accompanied by a compositional shift in favour of small molecular serum proteins.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins