How to Build a Barrier to Dementia
And carry out regular maintenance
Standing between you and many brain disorders is a wall, or barrier. It’s a thin but powerful membrane that requires regular maintenance. Neglect it, and your brain may be exposed to attack from hostile agents as they manage to gain access.
OK, that’s a bit dramatic but it is essentially true. A damaged blood brain barrier can leave you vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The blood brain barrier, in brief
The theory of a barrier between blood and brain was first proposed in 1906, when experimental intravenous injection of a dye was seen to stain all the tissues of the body, but not the brain. The existence of the barrier was confirmed almost 50 years later when it became visible using microscopic technology.
The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a tightly packed layer of cells lining the blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord, held together by tight junctions. Its role is to block harmful substances, including heavy metals, bacteria, viruses and environmental toxins, from entering the central nervous system. At the same time, it must allow essential substances to make the crossing unimpeded.
