Topic: blood-brain barrier

This EMBO Workshop brings together researchers studying astrocytes from molecular mechanisms to systems-level brain functions. The programme covers astrocyte roles in synapse assembly, circuit modulation, homeostasis, metabolism, memory, behavior, the blood-brain barrier, interactions with neurons and glia, and emerging therapeutic strategies.

The epileptogenesis process is associated with large-scale changes in gene expression, which contribute to the remodelling of brain networks permanently altering excitability. About 80% of the protein coding genes are under the influence of the circadian rhythms. These are 24-hour endogenous rhythms that determine a large number of daily changes in physiology and behavior in our bodies. In the brain, the master clock regulates a large number of pathways that are important during epileptogenesis and established-epilepsy, such as neurotransmission, synaptic homeostasis, inflammation, blood-brain

The neurovascular unit (NVU) consists of cerebral blood vessels, neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and pericytes. It plays a vital role in regulating blood flow and ensuring the proper functioning of neural circuits. Among other, this is made possible by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which acts as both a physical and functional barrier. Previous studies have shown that dysfunction of the BBB is common in most neurological disorders and is associated with neural dysfunction. Our studies have demonstrated that BBB dysfunction results in the transformation of astrocytes through transforming growth

Astrocytes are multifunctional glial cells, implicated in neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, supporting and fine-tuning neuronal activity and maintaining brain homeostasis by controlling blood-brain barrier permeability. During the last years a number of studies have shown that astrocytes can also be converted into neurons if they force-express neurogenic transcription factors or miRNAs. Direct astrocytic reprogramming to induced-neurons (iNs) is a powerful approach for manipulating cell fate, as it takes advantage of the intrinsic neural stem cell (NSC) potential of brain resident reactive astr

WEBINAR 1 Breaking the barrier: Using focused ultrasound for the development of targeted therapies for brain tumours presented by Dr Ekaterina (Caty) Salimova, Monash Biomedical Imaging Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) - brain cancer - is aggressive and difficult to treat as systemic therapies are hindered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Focused ultrasound (FUS) - a non-invasive technique that can induce targeted temporary disruption of the BBB – is a promising tool to improve GBM treatments. In this webinar, Dr Ekaterina Salimova will discuss the MRI-guided FUS modality at MBI and her research

The normally functioning blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates the transfer of material between blood and brain. BBB dysfunction has long been recognized in multiple sclerosis (MS), and there is considerable interest in quantifying functional aspects of brain blood vessels and their role in disease progression. Parenchymal water content and its association with volume regulation is important for proper brain function, and is one of the key roles of the BBB. There is convincing evidence that the astrocyte is critical in establishing and maintaining a functional BBB and providing metabolic support

One of the major challenges in developing therapeutics for the neurodegenerative disorders is the blood-brain barrier, limiting the availability of systemically administered therapies such as recombinant proteins or monoclonal antibodies from reaching the brain. Direct central nervous system (CNS) gene therapy using adeno-associated virus vectors expressing a therapeutic protein, monoclonal antibody or inhibiting RNA-coding sequences has two characteristics ideal for therapy of neurodegenerative disorders: circumventing the blood-brain barrier by directly expressing the therapy in the brain an

To function properly, the nervous system consumes vast amounts of energy, which is mostly provided by carbohydrate metabolism. Neurons are very sensitive to changes in the extracellular fluid surrounding them, which necessitated shielding of the nervous system from fluctuating solute concentrations in circulation. This is achieved by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that prevents paracellular diffusion of solutes into the nervous system. This in turn also means that all nutrients that are needed e.g. for sufficient energy supply need to be transported over the BBB. We use Drosophila as a model sy

Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for treating stroke, but it still presents several challenges, such as the optimal administration route or safety concerns. In clinical practice, endovascular delivery of cells is preferred to intracerebral injection. However, circulating stem cells must cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and might get trapped in peripheral organs, resulting in an insufficient number of cells reaching the lesion. To optimize their migration across the BBB, we aimed to mimic immune cells as they extravasate into the brain parenchyma following injury. For in

Migraine is a recurrent headache disorder characterized by episodes of acute pain. The overall objective of this work, was to test the hypothesis that the NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the pathophysiology of migraine and that NLRP3 blockade may represent a novel strategy for migraine management through the design of novel inhibitors. The phenotype of NLRP3 knockout (NLRP3 KO) mice has been investigated in a mouse model of migraine induced by the i.p. administration of nitroglycerin (NTG). Using the same model, were tested the effects of MCC950, a standard NLRP3 inhibitor able to cross the