blood-brain barrier
noun
: a naturally occurring barrier created by the modification of brain capillaries (as by reduction in fenestration and formation of tight cell-to-cell contacts) that prevents many substances from leaving the blood and crossing the capillary walls into the brain tissues
Examples of blood-brain barrier in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is also the first study that shows how quickly the blood-brain barrier closes after being opened by the ultrasound.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 May 2023
Citing 63 studies, the article explains how BHRT works to penetrate the blood-brain barrier to promote neuronal growth, support cognitive function, and provide neuroprotection.
—Maria Williams, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2023
The procedure to open the blood-brain barrier only takes four minutes and is performed while the patient is awake.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 May 2023
Since both endothelial cells and pericytes are crucial to the function of the blood-brain barrier, these results further confirmed that APOE4 likely leads to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and breakdown.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
This included several different categories of genes that encoded proteins for ion channels, proteins that support the structure of the blood-brain barrier, and molecules that move nutrients and other compounds across the blood-brain barrier.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
The blood-brain barrier is a control system of specialized membranes that work to prevent toxins (as well as chemotherapy drugs) from entering the sensitive environment of the brain.
—Benjamin Leach, Verywell Health, 23 Aug. 2023
Its proteins show promise in potentially increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to allow medication to be delivered directly to the brain — a holy grail of modern medicine.
—Simeon Tegel, Washington Post, 23 June 2023
In fact, some parts of the brain don’t have a traditional blood-brain barrier at all.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 20 June 2023
See More
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 May 2023
Citing 63 studies, the article explains how BHRT works to penetrate the blood-brain barrier to promote neuronal growth, support cognitive function, and provide neuroprotection.
—Maria Williams, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2023
The procedure to open the blood-brain barrier only takes four minutes and is performed while the patient is awake.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 May 2023
Since both endothelial cells and pericytes are crucial to the function of the blood-brain barrier, these results further confirmed that APOE4 likely leads to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and breakdown.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
This included several different categories of genes that encoded proteins for ion channels, proteins that support the structure of the blood-brain barrier, and molecules that move nutrients and other compounds across the blood-brain barrier.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
The blood-brain barrier is a control system of specialized membranes that work to prevent toxins (as well as chemotherapy drugs) from entering the sensitive environment of the brain.
—Benjamin Leach, Verywell Health, 23 Aug. 2023
Its proteins show promise in potentially increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to allow medication to be delivered directly to the brain — a holy grail of modern medicine.
—Simeon Tegel, Washington Post, 23 June 2023
In fact, some parts of the brain don’t have a traditional blood-brain barrier at all.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 20 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blood-brain barrier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of blood-brain barrier was
in 1934
Dictionary Entries Near blood-brain barrier
Cite this Entry
“Blood-brain barrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blood-brain%20barrier. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
blood-brain barrier
noun
: a naturally occurring barrier created by the modification of brain capillaries (as by reduction in fenestration and formation of tight cell-to-cell contacts) that prevents many substances from leaving the blood and crossing the capillary walls into the brain tissues
—abbreviation BBB
More from Merriam-Webster on blood-brain barrier
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blood-brain barrier
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share