The blood-brain barrier is a physiologic mechanism that prevents passage of certain large molecules, including some antibiotics, from passing from blood to the brain parenchyma.

Question

The blood-brain barrier is a physiologic mechanism that prevents passage of certain large molecules, including some antibiotics, from passing from blood to the brain parenchyma.​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The blood-brain barrier is a real physiologic barrier that prevents certain large molecules from passing from blood into the brain. This barrier is formed by tightly packed endothelial cells that line the blood vessels in the brain, as well as by astrocytes that surround these vessels. While the blood-brain barrier is important for protecting the brain from harmful substances, it also limits the effectiveness of some drugs, including some antibiotics that are too large to cross.

The Blood-Brain Barrier Is a Physiologic Mechanism That Prevents Passage