The Blood-Brain and Other Neural Barriers: Reviews and Protocols / Edition 1

Evolving technologies starting with tracer studies, and more recently with genomics and proteomics, have provided novel information about the molecular properties of cerebral endothelium and astrocytes; however, further studies must be done in animal models of neurological diseases and in humans to get a clearer understanding of the pathogenesis of blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown in nervous system diseases. In The Blood-Brain and Other Neural Barriers: Reviews and Prools, experts in the field present a series of cutting-edge prools which can be used to study the barriers. Opening with detailed information on components of the neurovascular unit as well as the blood-cerebrospinal, blood-retinal, and blood-nerve barriers, the book continues with meticulous techniques to image the barriers in humans and experimental animals, followed by cutting-edge molecular techniques to study the BBB and novel models to study the barriers, and it concludes with techniques for the delivery of therapeutic agents across the BBB. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, prool chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory prools, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, The Blood-Brain and Other Neural Barriers: Reviews and Prools will aid the research efforts of not only graduate students but also more experienced investigators and support future studies of these vital systems.