Blood vessels passing through the central nervous system are sheathed by specialized cells that form the blood-brain barrier. The barrier controls the passage of cells and molecules into the brain. This protection is essential to the normal function of the brain, which operates in a biological environment that is very different to that of the result of the body. Unfortunately, and like all systems in the body, the blood-brain barrier deteriorates with age. This allows harmful molecules and cells to leak into the brain, provoking a damaging state of chronic inflammation in brain tissue. Inflammation is thought to be an important component of age-…
Reviewing What is Known of the Biochemistry of Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Aging
Blood vessels passing through the central nervous system are sheathed by specialized cells that form the blood-brain barrier. The barrier controls the passage of cells and molecules into the brain. This protection is essential to the normal function of the brain, which operates in a biological environment that is very different to that of the result of the body. Unfortunately, and like all systems in the body, the blood-brain barrier deteriorates with age. This allows harmful molecules and cells to leak into the brain, provoking a damaging state of chronic inflammation in brain tissue. Inflammation is thought to be an important component of age-…