Anatomy and physiology of the blood-brain barrier

Abstract

Brain tissue is separated from blood with a special barrier called the blood–brain barrier (BBB). It has a very complex structure and is formed by basic elements, such as endothelial cells, astrocytes, pericytes, and basal lamina. Material and cell transfer from blood to brain and brain to blood is strictly controlled by the BBB. In most of the neurological and psychiatric diseases its integrity, function or structure could be affected. Taking the advantage of its big vascular surface area, it can be used for cell and drug delivery across endothelia into the brain. In this chapter, details of the anatomical structure of the BBB, including cellular compartments, developmental aspects, as well as transport across BBB are discussed. Specific transport systems located at the BBB may be used as efficient targets for drug delivery strategies and must be investigated in detail to develop novel and effective treatment options.