Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a neurovascular disease

Brain Res. 2011 Jun 29:1398:113-25. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.04.049. Epub 2011 May 12.

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disease with a complicated pathogenesis. Compelling evidence indicates impairment of all neurovascular unit components including the blood-brain and blood-spinal cord barriers (BBB/BSCB) in both patients and animal models, leading to classification of ALS as a neurovascular disease. The present review provides an updated analysis of the normal and impaired BBB/BSCB, focusing on the ALS-altered barrier. Here we describe the roles of cellular components, tight junctions, transport systems, cell interactions, cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and free radicals in the BBB/BSCB disruption, along with recent evidence from experimental and clinical ALS studies. The BBB/BSCB is a promising research area in ALS and this review will reveal some aspects of microvascular pathology in ALS and hopefully provide ideas for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / pathology
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / physiopathology
  • Central Nervous System / blood supply*
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System / physiopathology*
  • Cerebral Arteries / metabolism
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
  • Humans