Bridging regional neurovascular unit heterogeneity and cognitive function: a review.

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical central nervous system interface that tightly regulates the exchange of substances between the blood circulation and the brain parenchyma. The BBB, glia, mural cells and neurons form the neurovascular unit (NVU), which modulates cerebral homeostasis. Traditionally considered a uniform and selective barrier, emerging research has unveiled significant heterogeneity in BBB properties across various brain structures. This review synthesizes current knowledge of the heterogeneity of the NVU elements of different brain structures. The structural and functional differences of the endothelial cells, glial cells, and neurons of different brain structures are pinpointed. Finally, BBB heterogeneity and its link to cognition in physiology and pathology are discussed. Understanding such relationships could help effectively target and cure neurological diseases.