The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) is situated at the interface between the blood circulation and brain. To maintain a proper function of the Central Nervous System (CNS), the BBB communicates with the underlying brain cells, selectively permits entry of needed nutrients, like glucose, amino acids, and ions, while prevents the entry of pathogens, toxins, and harmful chemicals in the CNS. Hence, BBB plays a prominent role in maintaining CNS homeostasis for optimal physiological neuronal functioning. During CNS insults and/or neuroinflammation, the integrity of the BBB can be altered, thereby allowing entry of immune cells and/or unwanted plasma components into the brain. Dysfunction of BBB has been associated with blunt force trauma, sports injuries, stroke, tumors, various neurological conditions, neuro-infections, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, HIV infection, cerebral malaria, sickle cell disorders, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. More recently, BBB dysfunction has also been observed in psychiatric disorders.
As BBB dysfunction is observed in so many CNS diseases and infections, the question has been raised as to why there are limited explorations on the wider functions of the BBB and its role in the neuro-disease processes. Exploring the wider role of the BBB could lead to the discovery of novel approaches for effective treatments of various brain disorders. Furthermore, as neuro-infections and neurological conditions are mostly brain region-specific, the specific targeting of drugs to the affected brain region is challenging. Moreover, there are limited neuroprotective drugs available, either as a primary or adjunctive treatment. Consequently, to treat the vast variety of CNS diseases, the BBB is a major investigative target for drug delivery methods. Novel approaches, including more in-depth knowledge of the BBB functioning and its heterogeneity in various CNS regions, are needed. This may help developing novel drug delivery strategies, including the identification of novel transport systems. Together with the development of effective nano-carriers to help deliver drugs across the BBB to the affected brain regions, CNS diseases may then be successfully treated.
This Research Topic aims to provide an overview of BBB functioning and brain vascular heterogeneity and to explore its role in neurological diseases and neuro-infections. The goal is to provide improved and specific drug delivery methods that efficiently target novel drugs across the BBB to specific brain regions.
We seek BBB-focused Original Research papers, mini- or full Reviews, or Case Reports and in addition, we welcome manuscripts discussing Hypothesis and Theory, Perspectives, and/or Opinions covering the following topics:
1. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction in neurological disorders, neuro-infections and in neurodegenerative diseases;
2. Identification of novel (small) molecule targets that convey neuro-protections;
3. Strategies to improve drug delivery across the BBB, targeting specific brain regions:
a) Novel approaches for nanoparticle-mediated brain-targeted drug delivery systems;
b) Modifications of physiological transport mechanisms associated with specific BBB regions;
c) Improving methods to specifically and temporarily disrupt the BBB for CNS drug delivery;
4. Exploring the novel drug targets of BBB.
The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) is situated at the interface between the blood circulation and brain. To maintain a proper function of the Central Nervous System (CNS), the BBB communicates with the underlying brain cells, selectively permits entry of needed nutrients, like glucose, amino acids, and ions, while prevents the entry of pathogens, toxins, and harmful chemicals in the CNS. Hence, BBB plays a prominent role in maintaining CNS homeostasis for optimal physiological neuronal functioning. During CNS insults and/or neuroinflammation, the integrity of the BBB can be altered, thereby allowing entry of immune cells and/or unwanted plasma components into the brain. Dysfunction of BBB has been associated with blunt force trauma, sports injuries, stroke, tumors, various neurological conditions, neuro-infections, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, HIV infection, cerebral malaria, sickle cell disorders, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. More recently, BBB dysfunction has also been observed in psychiatric disorders.
As BBB dysfunction is observed in so many CNS diseases and infections, the question has been raised as to why there are limited explorations on the wider functions of the BBB and its role in the neuro-disease processes. Exploring the wider role of the BBB could lead to the discovery of novel approaches for effective treatments of various brain disorders. Furthermore, as neuro-infections and neurological conditions are mostly brain region-specific, the specific targeting of drugs to the affected brain region is challenging. Moreover, there are limited neuroprotective drugs available, either as a primary or adjunctive treatment. Consequently, to treat the vast variety of CNS diseases, the BBB is a major investigative target for drug delivery methods. Novel approaches, including more in-depth knowledge of the BBB functioning and its heterogeneity in various CNS regions, are needed. This may help developing novel drug delivery strategies, including the identification of novel transport systems. Together with the development of effective nano-carriers to help deliver drugs across the BBB to the affected brain regions, CNS diseases may then be successfully treated.
This Research Topic aims to provide an overview of BBB functioning and brain vascular heterogeneity and to explore its role in neurological diseases and neuro-infections. The goal is to provide improved and specific drug delivery methods that efficiently target novel drugs across the BBB to specific brain regions.
We seek BBB-focused Original Research papers, mini- or full Reviews, or Case Reports and in addition, we welcome manuscripts discussing Hypothesis and Theory, Perspectives, and/or Opinions covering the following topics:
1. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction in neurological disorders, neuro-infections and in neurodegenerative diseases;
2. Identification of novel (small) molecule targets that convey neuro-protections;
3. Strategies to improve drug delivery across the BBB, targeting specific brain regions:
a) Novel approaches for nanoparticle-mediated brain-targeted drug delivery systems;
b) Modifications of physiological transport mechanisms associated with specific BBB regions;
c) Improving methods to specifically and temporarily disrupt the BBB for CNS drug delivery;
4. Exploring the novel drug targets of BBB.