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The Role Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor At The Blood-Brain Barrier In Diabetes, Aileen J. Marcelo

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Diabetes is a risk factor for stroke and vascular dementia. Clinical studies using gadolinium-magnetic resonance imaging techniques have shown diabetic patients exhibit a permeability increase at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) (Starr et al, 2003). The BBB, a vascular interface at the level of brain microvascular vessels, functions to provide nutrients and oxygen from the peripheral circulation, mediates waste efflux from the brain, and protects the brain from toxins. These functions are due to the presence of tight junction proteins. Animal studies have shown increased BBB permeability is due to a decrease in these proteins (Hawkins et al, 2007). Based on …