The blood-brain barrier is a specialized layer of cells that regulates the passage of molecules and cells to and from the brain. Dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier as we age can lead to unwanted substances entering the brain, potentially contributing to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Recent research has shown correlations between blood-brain barrier dysfunction and the accumulation of pathological proteins in the brain. Understanding and potentially reversing age-related blood-brain barrier dysfunction could be crucial in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
In a recent study, researchers used MRI to map blood-brain barrier leakage in the brains of older and younger adults and compared these maps with imaging of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. They found that blood-brain barrier dysfunction tends to follow the same regional pattern as neurodegenerative pathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This information adds to the growing evidence of the importance of the blood-brain barrier in neurodegenerative conditions. Efforts should be made to explore potential approaches to reversing age-related blood-brain barrier dysfunction.
The study titled “Associations between regional blood-brain barrier permeability, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in cognitively normal older adults” delves into the relationship between blood-brain barrier dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease through two lines of evidence. By investigating the spatial distribution of blood-brain barrier permeability and its associations with Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, the researchers aim to shed light on the role blood-brain barrier dysfunction plays in dementia.
