Understanding the functional structure of the brain holds significant promise for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. European researchers investigated a new population of brain cells as a potential therapeutic target.
The neurovascular unit (NVU) consists of cerebral endothelial cells that interact with pericytes, astrocytes, neurons, microglial cells and extracellular matrix to form the blood-brain barrier. This functional barrier regulates molecular movement into and out of the brain.
Further details: New reservoir of neurogenic cells in the brain