title: An examination of the blood-brain barrier in health and disease.
abstract: The brain is protected from bloodborne toxins by the walls of the brain capillaries. The capillaries make up the primary part of the so-called blood-brain barrier (BBB). This is an exclusive barrier that precludes a large number of substances from entering the brain. This is because of its specific structural and biochemical properties that arise from interactions of a number of cell types. This review introduces the concept of the BBB to the practitioner. It examines the elements that are presently understood to be necessary for its formation. Finally, the influence of the BBB on disease is examined. This will enable the practitioner to have a comprehensive understanding of the effect the presence or absence of the BBB has on central nervous system health.
authors.affiliation: Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, London.
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000502:physiology; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000502:physiology; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021941:Caveolae / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020286:Pericytes / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D027425:ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C Proteins