1. Nat. Rev. Neurol. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2016.13
Figure 4 Obicodilation transiently opens tight junctions to allow pharmaceuticals to cross the blood–brain barrier
Figure 4 | Obicodilation transiently opens tight junctions to allow pharmaceuticals to cross the blood–brain barrier. a | The neurovascular unit comprises endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, with astrocyte end-feet and pericytes wrapped around the endothelial cells, which are also covered by the basement membrane. Nerve terminals and microglia are in close proximity and interact with blood vessels and the blood–brain barrier. b | Various mechanisms enable transport across the blood–brain barrier, but tight junctions prevent the passage of small-molecule drugs. c | Expansion of microbubbles in brain vessels in response to ultrasound displaces the vessel wall and transiently opens tight junctions, allowing drugs and blood-borne factors to enter the brain. Permission obtained from Nature Publishing Group © Abbot, N. J. et al. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 7, 41–53 (2006).
Permission obtained from Nature Publishing Group © Abbot, N. J. et al. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 7, 41–53 (2006).
Götz, J. et al. (2016) Ultrasound treatment of neurological diseases — current and emerging applications
Nat. Rev. Neurol. doi: /nrneurol