The blood-brain barrier in aging and neurodegeneration

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is vital for maintaining brain homeostasis by enabling an exquisite control of exchange of compounds between the blood and the brain parenchyma. Moreover, the BBB prevents unwanted toxins and pathogens from entering the brain. This barrier, however, breaks down with age and further disruption is a hallmark of many age-related disorders. Several drugs have been explored, thus far, to protect or restore BBB function. With the recent connection between the BBB and gut microbiota, microbial-derived metabolites have been explored for their capabilities to protect and restore BBB physiology. This review, will focus on the vital components that make up the BBB, dissect levels of disruption of the barrier, and discuss current drugs and therapeutics that maintain barrier integrity and the recent discoveries of effects microbial-derived metabolites have on BBB physiology.

Automated summary

The blood-brain barrier is essential for maintaining brain homeostasis and preventing the entry of toxins into the brain. However, it deteriorates with age and plays a role in age-related disorders. Recent research suggests that microbial-derived metabolites may have the potential to protect and restore the blood-brain barrier. This review focuses on the components of the barrier, levels of disruption, current drugs and therapeutics, and the effects of microbial-derived metabolites.