Ontogeny and Phylogeny of the Blood-Brain Barrier

Penetration of agents into the immature central nervous system (CNS) is a topic of fundamental significance to neurobiologists as well as therapeutically and toxicologically to physicians.

Abstract

Penetration of agents into the immature central nervous system (CNS) is a topic of fundamental significance, basically to neurobiologists as well as therapeutically and toxicologically to physicians. The orderly maturation of neuronal and glial systems demands a carefully regulated flow of nutrients and minerals across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood–cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier. Certain drugs and toxins that gain access to developing neural tissue can induce severe malfunctions. Since the rapidly growing CNS is vulnerable to alterations in the composition of brain interstitial fluid (ISF), it is pertinent to elucidate the respective roles played by numerous physiologic factors affecting rate and extent to which solutes penetrate neural tissue.