The blood-brain barrier and selective vulnerability in experimental thiamine-deficiency encephalopathy in the mouse.

The integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an important aspect of normal central nervous system (CNS) function. Recently, it was shown that the BBB breakdown is one of the predisposing factors in the pathogenesis of thiamine-deficiency encephalopathy. The result is discussed along with some reviews on previous research of BBB integrity in thiamine deficiency.