Past and recent BBB studies with particular emphasis on changes in ischemic brain edema: dedicated to the memory of Dr. Igor Klatzo.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions to protect the environment of the brain through endothelial cells and their interactions with other cells and components of the cerebral vasculature and the brain parenchyma. Alterations in the BBB as a result of injuries (i.e., brain ischemia and traumatic brain injury) play a crucial role in the pathophysiological response.The following is a brief review of the BBB and the mechanisms by which its cellular elements participate in barrier disruptions such as those associated with ischemia and resulting brain edema formation.
Spatz
Maria
M
Stroke Branch, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. maria.spatz@med.navy.mil
D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000266:history*; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological