About this episode

This episode explores the structure and function of the blood brain barrier and how substances like ethanol can cross it.

The blood brain barrier describes how the endothelial cells of the capillaries in the brain are tightly stuck together by tight junctions, wrapped in the feet of astrocytes and lined by a basement lamina. This stops most molecules from moving between the blood and the brain through any gaps. Instead, transporters are needed to transport molecules across the endothelial cells. Why does this happen in the brain? How does ethanol get to the brain?

Topics covered

• blood brain barrier
• endothelial cells
• tight junctions
• astrocytes
• molecular transport
• ethanol transport

Keywords

• blood brain barrier
• endothelial cells
• tight junctions
• astrocytes
• molecular transport
• ethanol

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Blood brain barrier

Places: brain, blood

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