International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215472 · Published: November 3, 2019
Cognitive skills decline with age, potentially leading to neurodegenerative disorders linked to brain microvasculature health. When the microvasculature malfunctions, it causes ischemia, hypoxia and oxidative stress that further damage vascular and neural functions. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates molecule movement between blood circulation and brain parenchyma. Tight junctions (TJs), multiprotein complexes, are vital for maintaining this barrier function. Barrier dysfunction is a common factor in neurological disorders, emphasizing the need to study the molecular mechanisms behind it. Identifying similarities and differences in BBB injury across disorders could lead to new therapies to improve life during aging.
Understanding the commonalities and differences in the pathomechanism of BBB injury can lead to new therapies for neurological disorders.
Detecting BBB dysfunction early may help in the early diagnosis and management of age-related cognitive decline.
Targeting specific intercellular communication pathways in the neurovascular unit can alleviate age-related impairments.