The blood-brain barrier is a specialized layer of cells surrounding blood vessels that pass through the central nervous system. It serves to separate the metabolism of the brain from the metabolism of the rest of the body by permitting passage of only certain molecules and cells to and from the brain. It is a complex system, and like all complex systems in biology, it falls apart with advancing age. This manifests as leakage, allowing inappropriate cells and molecules into the brain where they can provoke inflammation and other downstream issues. A growing consensus in the research community places blood-brain barri…
Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction is an Important Component of Brain Aging
The blood-brain barrier is a specialized layer of cells surrounding blood vessels that pass through the central nervous system. It serves to separate the metabolism of the brain from the metabolism of the rest of the body by permitting passage of only certain molecules and cells to and from the brain. It is a complex system, and like all complex systems in biology, it falls apart with advancing age. This manifests as leakage, allowing inappropriate cells and molecules into the brain where they can provoke inflammation and other downstream issues. A growing consensus in the research community places blood-brain barri…