Blood-Brain Barrier

Description

The Blood-Brain Barrier is a semipermeable Membrane that surrounds the Brain which allows solutions to pass through it, but excludes solid particles and large molecules.  It is actually composed of Capillaries of the Brain (however the Capillaries of the Brain differ from the Capillaries of the remainder of the body).

Nervous System

 The Blood-Brain Barrier protects the Brain from exposure to various toxins and other large molecules that may exist in the Blood.

Cells

 Astrocytes use their "feet" to attach themselves to the outer surface of neighboring Capillaries in the Brain.  Astrocytes further block chemicals that manage to pass through the Endothelial Cells of the Brain's Capillaries.

 Endothelial Cells line the walls of the Brain's Capillaries.  The junction between the Endothelial Cells of the Brain's Capillaries are very tight and exclude most large molecules.

Hormones

 Progesterone may protect and rebuild the Blood-Brain Barrier.  ^[1]

Polyphenols

 Anthocyanosides may decrease the permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier (by inhibiting the Collagenase enzyme which increases the permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier).  ^[2]

 Curcumin may help to prevent damage to the Blood-Brain Barrier.  ^[3]

Vitamins

 Vitamin B1 may be required for the optimal function of the Blood-Brain Barrier and Vitamin B1 deficiency can lead to the break down of the Blood-Brain Barrier.  ^[4]

Fruit

 Bilberry may decrease the permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier (due to Anthocyanosides in Bilberry inhibiting the Collagenase enzyme which increases the permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier).  ^[5]

Herbs

 Ginkgo biloba may stabilize the Cell Membranes of the Blood-Brain Barrier. 

In general, fat-soluble compounds permeate the Blood-Brain Barrier much more readily than water-soluble compounds.