Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue
Published on: September 12, 2018
Blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein function decreases in specific brain regions with aging: a possible role in
Anna L Bartels1, Rudie Kortekaas, Joost Bart
1Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. a.l.bartels@neuro.umcg.nl
Abstract:
Cerebrovascular P-glycoprotein (P-gp) acts at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as an active cell membrane efflux pump for several endogenous and exogenous compounds. Age-associated decline in P-gp function could facilitate the accumulation of toxic substances in the brain, thus increasing the risk of neurodegenerative pathology with aging. We hypothesised a regionally reduced BBB P-gp function in older healthy subjects. We studied cerebrovascular P-gp function using [(11)C]-verapamil positron emission tomography (PET) in seventeen healthy volunteers with age 18-86. Logan analysis was used to calculate the distribution volume (DV) of [(11)C]-verapamil in the brain. Statistical Parametric Mapping was used to study specific regional differences between the older compared with the younger adults. Older subjects showed significantly decreased P-gp function in internal capsule and corona radiata white matter and in orbitofrontal regions. Decreased BBB P-gp function in those regions could thus explain part of the vulnerability of the aging brain to white matter degeneration. Moreover, decreased BBB P-gp function with aging could be a mechanism by which age acts as the main risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative disease.
More Related Videos
06:26Analyzing the Permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier by Microbial Traversal through Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Published on: February 14, 2020
07:22Assessment of Blood-brain Barrier Permeability by Intravenous Infusion of FITC-labeled Albumin in a Mouse Model of Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: November 8, 2017
Related Concept Videos
The Blood-brain Barrier
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology