Blood-brain barrier

Currently, a significant proportion of all lesions of the human nervous system is occupied by trauma. And only a small part of the lesions are caused directly by the CNS.

Due to some of its features, the nervous system is very interesting from the scientific point of view. The thing is that the anatomy of the central nervous system is extremely difficult to understand. The nerve fibers that make up its basis have their own structure, different from other tissues of the human body.

One of the main features of nervous tissue is an extremely low ability to regenerate. It can not be said that the damaged nerves are not restored, but their recovery is very slow and requires certain conditions.

Another feature of the nervous system, in general, and the central nervous system in particular is the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

It is not a secret for anyone that the brain and spinal cord are in a special liquid that is close in composition to the physiological solution, but different from it by the content of different fractions of proteins and trace elements. Spinal (or cerebrospinal) fluid is formed from blood and lymph by a special "filter", the role of which is performed by the blood-brain barrier.

Special cells with interendothelial contacts prevent the penetration of blood cells into this fluid. Today, scientists have not fully understood how the filtering capacity of the barrier is regulated, but it is reliably known that its capacity varies with changing metabolic activity of the brain. In addition, the blood-brain barrier has differences in different parts of the brain, which causes its different ability to filter liquids (blood and lymph).

The carried out researches have shown that some of the substances penetrate through the BBB mainly from the blood vessels, the other part from the vessels of the lymphatic system, while the others are able to flow from both media at the same speed. Own, unique and unexplored system of self-regulation of the cerebrospinal fluid ensures intake of substances in the amount that the central nervous system needs. This happens with the regulation of the volume of the liquid part, the amount and composition of proteins, as well as the composition of the incoming ions (the latter are represented by potassium and sodium).

What is the blood-brain barrier?

Primarily, its action is aimed at creating a relatively isolated environment for the central nervous system, but it also performs a protective function, preventing the penetration of bacteria and viruses into the cerebrospinal fluid from the blood or lymph flow. It is important to understand that in the event of violations in the operation of the BBB, the consequences will be very serious. So, penetrated into the liquor bacteria lead to meningitis, encephalitis and other inflammatory processes of the brain membranes and brain tissues.

A number of studies conducted by specialists demonstrated the possibility of influencing the blood-brain barrier capacity by various drugs. In addition, the previously used drugs began to identify this feature. Today, doctors are well aware of what medicines and how they affect the BBB. Moreover, we have learned to use these properties for the benefit of man.

Thus, the blood-brain barrier performs a number of very significant functions that maintain the optimal state of the internal organs of the human body. However, it is worth noting that such barrier features make it very sensitive to both trauma and various pathological conditions, which is why it is so important to understand and consider these aspects in the prevention and treatment of diseases.