Cracking the Code: Unveiling the Blood-Brain Barrier's Mysteries

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the blood-brain barrier's permeability. Using zebrafish and mice models, they discovered that a neuron-originating signal, regulated by the gene spock1, is crucial for the formation and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier. Mutations in spock1 cause regional permeability in the barrier, which could be targeted for medical treatments. This discovery has the potential to enhance drug delivery effectiveness and mitigate damage from neurodegenerative diseases or stroke.