Astrocytic processes: A route between vessels and neurons followingblood-brain barrier injurt

The fluorescent tracer Evans blue (EB) was studied after circulation time ranging from 30 seconds to 5 minutes following blood-brain barrier (BBB) injuries in 42 dogs. Selective neuronal stainings (sns), associated with BBB injuries, occurred to a high degree. This phenomenon was examined by modifications in existing fluorescence techniques. The mechanism of SNS was seen to lie in an almost imperceptible transport of EB along astrocytic processes connecting SNS with the adjacent vasculature. This report presents visual evidence under pathological conditions, and supports the concept of astrocytic processes as the normal route of transport between blood vessels and neurons. This requires long exposure photomicrographs since the fluorescing material is subtle within the neuroglial processes.