blood-brain barrier
A selective barrier that controls which substances can pass from blood into brain tissue, critical in neuroimmunological disease mechanisms.
Full Definition
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective semipermeable membrane barrier that separates circulating blood from the brain and extracellular fluid in the central nervous system. In neuroimmunology, BBB dysfunction is a key pathological feature in conditions like multiple sclerosis, where immune cells inappropriately cross this barrier. The integrity of the BBB is often assessed in clinical studies and therapeutic development. Understanding BBB permeability is essential for drug delivery strategies in neurological diseases.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun.
In Context
- "The study demonstrated increased blood-brain barrier permeability in patients with active multiple sclerosis lesions." — Research publication
- "Novel therapeutics must consider blood-brain barrier penetration when targeting CNS inflammation." — Drug development report