Lexic.us

Definition of Blood-brain barrier

1. Noun. A mechanism that creates a barrier between brain tissues and circulating blood; serves to protect the central nervous system. "The brain was protected from the large molecules of the virus by the blood-brain barrier"

Definition of Blood-brain barrier

1. Noun. (anatomy) A structure in the central nervous system (CNS) that keeps various substances found in the bloodstream out of the brain while allowing in the substances essential to metabolic function, e.g. oxygen. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Blood-brain barrier

1. A protective barrier formed by the blood vessels and glia of the brain. It prevents some substances in the blood from entering brain tissue. The blood vessels of the brain (and the retina) are much more impermeable to large molecules (like antibodies) than blood vessels elsewhere in the body. This has important implications for the ability of the organism to mount an immune response in these tissues, although the basis for the difference in endothelial permeability is not well understood. (16 Dec 1997)

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Literary usage of Blood-brain barrier

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Reviews in Environmental Health (1998): Toxicological Defense Mechanics edited by Gary E. R. Hook, George W. Lucier (2000)
"Joo F. The blood brain barrier in vitro: ten years of research on microvessels isolated from brain. Neurochem Int 7:1-25 (1985). 150. Orlowski M, Sessa G, ..."

2. An Assessment of Potential Health Effects from Exposure to Pave Paws Low by National Research Council (2005)
"Studies on blood-brain barrier permeability after microwave-radiation. ... blood-brain barrier alteration after microwave-induced hyperthermia is purely a ..."

3. Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards by National Research Council (2006)
"The blood-brain barrier is thought to reduce fluoride transfer, at least in short-term experiments (Whitford 1996). It is possible that brain T/P ratios are ..."

4. Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery by Caroline McNeil (1997)
"Getting around the blood-brain barrier. The problem in testing NGF in humans is the ... Known as the blood-brain barrier, these defenses include physical ..."

5. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1883)
"The question of MSG toxicity appears, therefore, to center around the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to glutamic acid. ..."

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