Cortical plasticity is associated with blood-brain barrier modulation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vascular Biology
• Neuroplasticity

Background:

• The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates molecular passage between blood and brain.
• BBB dysfunction is linked to brain injury, pathological plasticity, and seizures.
• The influence of neuronal activity on BBB function in healthy brains is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of neuronal activity on BBB function in the healthy brain.
• To determine the role of BBB modulation in local network reorganization and plasticity.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous electrophysiological recording and vascular imaging in rats.
• Transcriptomic analysis in rats.
• Functional and BBB-mapping MRI in human subjects.

Main Results:

• Prolonged limb stimulation caused a focal increase in BBB permeability in the somatosensory cortex.
• Increased BBB permeability correlated with long-term synaptic plasticity.
• This effect was dependent on neuronal activity and involved caveolae-mediated transcytosis and TGF-β signaling.

Conclusions:

• Neuronal activity modulates microvascular permeability in the healthy brain.
• BBB modulation plays a role in cortical plasticity.
• Neurovascular interactions are vital for sensory experience and learning.