Structure and Permeability Changes of the Blood-Brain Barrier in APP/PS1 Mice: an Alzheimer's Disease Animal Model

The present work explored the blood-brain barrier (BBB) changes in a mice model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) (APP/PS1 double mutant). The transgenic mice model showed overexpression of A beta 1-42 in the brain and the loss of learning functions. The test with tail vein injection of Evans Blue (EB) showed more EB fluorescence in the brain tissue, suggesting an increased BBB permeability. Additionally, Electronic microscope (EM) images showed changes in base membrane, vessel-associated glial cells, pericytes, and endothelial cells. This work supported the BBB dysfunction hypothesis in AD, and suggested that APP/PS1 mice could be a suitable model in testing BBB-crossing drugs of AD.