Physiological Barriers of Targeting the Diseased Brain
Brain Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Neurological Disorders, CRC Press, ss.14-28, 2026
- Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1201/9781003482406-2
- Yayınevi: CRC Press
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.14-28
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
The central nervous system (CNS) is safeguarded by a complex barriers that regulate molecular flux and maintain the specialized microenvironment necessary for neuronal activity. The most prominent of these is the blood-brain barrier, formed by brain microvascular endothelial cells in close interaction with astrocytes, pericytes, and other elements of the neurovascular unit. Complementary barriers, including the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB), the meningeal barrier, circumventricular organs barrier, and the glia limitans, provide additional layers of regulation. These structures are not static partitions but dynamic systems whose properties emerge early during embryonic development and evolve toward mature configurations that balance protection with functional exchange. Developmental studies reveal that tight junctions and selective transport mechanisms are established at early stages, underscoring that these interfaces are competent well before birth. At the same time, structural remodeling and cellular specialization refine their integrity as the CNS matures. In adulthood, barrier function is sustained through continuous signaling between endothelial, glial, and mural cells, ensuring both homeostasis and defense. However, barrier dysfunction contributes to a broad spectrum of neurological and systemic disorders, from epilepsy, stroke, and traumatic injury to Alzheimer’s disease, sepsis, and hypertension. Understanding the cellular and molecular logic of these barriers, their developmental assembly, and the pathways leading to their breakdown is essential for both fundamental neuroscience and the design of strategies for brain-targeted therapy. This chapter synthesizes current knowledge on the brain’s barrier physiology, development, and alterations, highlighting their dual role as protectors of brain function and obstacles to therapeutic delivery.