Leaky blood vessels stroke link-BBB

[Guest guest]

" Known as the blood-brain barrier, the

protective lining stops potentially harmful substances getting into the brain. "

... " We don't know exactly what causes this weakening of the blood-brain barrier

- it may be age, blood pressure or inflammation. More research is required, but

we hope the results will help in the search for more treatments to this

widespread condition. "

Leaky blood vessels stroke link

One in five strokes may be caused by a weakening of the tiny arteries in the

brain, a new study has found.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7940040.stm

The brain damage caused by lacunar strokes, which occur in tiny rather than

large arteries, may be caused by a gradual weakening of the artery wall.

It was previously thought this type of stroke was caused only by reduced blood

flow to the brain.

Edinburgh University experts believe the weakening occurs in the protective

lining of the small arteries.

Known as the blood-brain barrier, the protective lining stops potentially

harmful substances getting into the brain.

Protective barrier

The research, published in the ls of Neurology, involved two groups of

stroke patients - one with lacunar stroke and one with the large artery type.

Both groups were injected with magnetic dye before having brain scans that

showed how the dye travelled through their blood vessels.

In the lacunar patients, more dye leaked out of the blood vessels into the

brain than was the case in the other group.

Scientists said it could only have happened if the dye were able to leak

through the protective barrier.

Joanna Wardlaw, professor of Applied Neuroimaging at Edinburgh University,

said: " This is an important milestone in the understanding of this common type

of stroke and dementia.

" We don't know exactly what causes this weakening of the blood-brain barrier -

it may be age, blood pressure or inflammation. More research is required, but we

hope the results will help in the search for more treatments to this widespread

condition. "

The Chief Scientist Office, the Wellcome Trust, Chest Heart Stroke Scotland,

the Row Fogo Charitable Trust, the Cohen Charitable Trust, and the UK Stroke

Association supported the study.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7940040.stm

Published: 2009/03/12 16:07:33 GMT

© BBC MMIX

Comments: We know that some chemicals by-pass the blood brain barrier, and

research shows EMR (electro magnetic radiation) also causes damage...

(Increased permeability of the blood brain barrier (a mechanism for headache),

Frey et al. (1975), Alberts (1977, 1978) and and Hawkins (1977).

Prevention might be a better approach than searching for treatments.

---------------------------------

Make your Messenger window look the way you want. Express Yourself!