Abstract
The brain is an important and at the same time fascinating human organ. However, so-called neuro-degenerative diseases pose a massive threat to the performance of this organ. Among many other factors, blood supply plays a major role in this process, and it has been recognized that some of these neuro-degenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease) are associated at an early stage with changes in the vascular structure of the smallest vessels, the capillaries. The blood-brain barrier plays an important role in this process, acting as a barrier to supply the brain tissue with nutrients and oxygen in a controlled manner, to keep out harmful substances and to dispose of waste products.
As part of an international research project led by the Fraunhofer Institute MEVIS in Bremen, methods are to be developed and tested with which the blood-brain barrier can be examined non-invasively. The aim is to make early changes in this important brain vascular structure visible and thus to have an important tool for researching therapies for e.g. Alzheimer’s disease. In the lecture the scientific basics will be explained in a simplified way on the basis of the research project and first results and an insight into the current research will be given.
For further information, please refer to the MindTalks website: https://www.bernstein.uni-bremen.de/drupal
