Our brain houses billions of neurons that are responsible for transmitting information to nerve cells, muscles and glands. It comes as no surprise, then, that the brain is considered the most complex organ in our body. Not only is it the most complex organ in the human body, but it is also the most important as it controls and coordinates our actions and reactions, basically putting together all the things that make us human.
What Neurons Are Responsible For
Neurons are used to send information from our brain to the rest of our body. With each thought and action, neurons communicate at synapses in which impulses are triggered by the diffusion of specific neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the “chemical messengers” that send information to the receptors on receiving cells, translating into messages. These messages can trigger a variety of responses in the motor system, nervous system, and any other system in the body.
The brain is much more than the control center for the way we think. The brain allows us to feel, move, see, smell, remember things, make judgments, and so much more. Our brain works full speed every second of the day, even when we are sleeping. In order to function correctly, our brain needs oxygen to produce enough energy to “keep going”. Blood vessels are critical to delivering oxygen and nutrients to all the tissues and organs throughout the body. As a result, the brain is home to a unique network of blood vessels that hold different properties than other vessels – this is termed the blood-brain barrier.
The vast majority of potential drug treatments cannot cross the barrier, posing a huge restriction when trying to treat mental and neurological disorders.
Neurological disorders that include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have all been linked to defective blood-brain barriers. This means that the barriers are keeping out biomolecules that are vital for healthy brain activity, especially in terms of certain drug transports and metabolic processes.
What Research Has Revealed About Blood-Brain Barriers
There has been an extensive amount of research conducted on the topic of blood-brain barriers and how it affects the outcomes of certain treatments and procedures. Researchers have established mechanisms that are fully capable of allowing drug delivery to the brain to treat mental and neurological disorders.
The blood-brain barrier may be affecting how your medications are working. To ensure the effectiveness of treatment and the desired interaction with the BBB, it is extremely important to review the course of treatment at regular appointments with your doctor. If you have questions regarding this interaction, schedule a call form online or call us directly at +1 855 426 4623.
