title: Blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein function in neurodegenerative disease.
abstract: Protection of the brain is strengthened by active transport and ABC transporters. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions as an active efflux pump by extruding a substrate from the brain, which is important for maintaining loco-regional homeostasis in the brain and protection against toxic compounds. Importantly, dysfunctional BBB P-gp transport is postulated as an important factor contributing to accumulation of aggregated protein in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Furthermore, P-gp is a major factor in mediating resistance to brain entry of numerous exogenous compounds, including toxins that can be involved in PD pathogenesis. This review highlights the role of altered P-gp function in the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative disease. Also the implications of alterations in P-gp function for the treatment of these diseases are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. a.l.bartels@neuro.umcg.nl
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bartels
mesh_terms: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1