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Related Concept Videos

The Blood-brain Barrier00:49

The Blood-brain Barrier

Overview
Physiological Barriers01:25

Physiological Barriers

Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
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Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Physiological Barriers

Drug distribution in the body is intricately regulated by various physiological barriers that control the passage of substances. These include the capillary endothelial barrier, the blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid, blood-placental, and blood-testis barriers.
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The...
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...

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Barrier mechanisms in the developing brain.

Norman R Saunders1, Shane A Liddelow, Katarzyna M Dziegielewska

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne Parkville, VIC, Australia.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|April 6, 2012
PubMed
Summary

The embryonic blood-brain barrier is not as immature as previously thought, but unique developmental features may still increase vulnerability to toxins and neurological disorders.

Keywords:
blood–CSF barrierblood–brain barriercerebrospinal fluidendothelial cell transportepithelial cell transportfetusnewborn

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The adult brain maintains a stable environment via the blood-brain barrier (BBB), formed by tight junctions.
  • The BBB is commonly considered immature and 'leaky' in embryos and newborns, increasing vulnerability.
  • Developing brains face potential risks from fetal circulation exposure to drugs or toxins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the maturity and properties of the embryonic blood-brain barrier.
  • To identify developmental mechanisms that may influence brain vulnerability.
  • To understand the implications for neurological development and disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cellular exchange mechanisms in the embryonic brain.
  • Investigation of tight junction function during development.
  • Comparison of transporter activity and junctional structures between embryonic and adult brains.
  • Examination of specific transport mechanisms across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier.

Main Results:

  • Functionally effective tight junctions are present in the embryonic brain.
  • Certain transporters are more active during development than in adulthood.
  • Embryos exhibit unique mechanisms, including specific plasma protein transport and embryo-specific intercellular junctions.
  • Developing cerebral vessels are more fragile than adult vessels.

Conclusions:

  • The embryonic BBB possesses mature components but also unique features.
  • These properties, alongside vessel fragility and placental efflux transporter changes post-birth, may increase vulnerability to neurotoxins and contribute to neurological disorders.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand developmental brain protection and vulnerability.