What exactly is the blood-brain barrier?
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The brain is full of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) which provide oxygen and nutrients. But the capillary walls are composed of tightly connected cells, which prevent most large molecules from getting out of the blood and into the neural space. This is normally a good thing.
However, some medical therapies involve placing large molecules (antibodies, for example) next to neurons. Glioblastoma, a type of cancer, is treated this way.
Technologies are being developed, like focused ultrasound, to open up the capillary wall cell gaps, to allow drugs to pass through.
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