The role of the blood-brain barrier in psychiatric disorders

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by continuous, closely connected endothelial cells, enveloped in the basal lamina, pericytes, and foot extensions of astrocytes. BBB has a vital role brain metabolism protects parenchyma from harmful agents present systemic circulation. Damage to an increase its permeability have important many neurodegenerative diseases. This paper aims review literature on impact damage psychiatric illness, largely neglected under researched area. Links between impairment specific neuropsychiatric disorders are described including schizophrenia, affective disorders, dementias with behavioral alcohol use disorder, comparison typical hereditary small vessel diseases affecting such as cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy subcortical infarction leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes (MELAS). authors critically summarize possible pathogenic mechanisms linking these common disorders.