The Dynamic Nervous System Adaptibility, Plasticity, and Repair

Another method of neurotoxicant entry into the CNS is by exploitation of a compromised blood-brain barrier. Aluminum itself compromises the blood-brain barrier and reactive species, both directly and indirectly, can open the barrier. Blood-borne inflammation, possibly through the release of reactive oxygen species, is widely known to create a leaky blood-brain barrier. This allows inflammatory cells, endotoxins, and neurotoxicants to enter the CNS. Inflammation within the brain itself also affects blood-brain barrier permeability, an aspect that potentially links psychological stress to increased susceptibility to neurotoxicants. It has been shown that inflammatory responses are induced in animals under stressful conditions, such as electrical shock, restraint, or adverse social interactions. 

5 THE DYNAMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ADAPTABILITY, PLASTICITY, AND REPAIR 

Arundine, M., and Tymianski, M. Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in excitotox-icity. Cell Calcium 34, 325-337, 2003. 

Toxicology of the nervous system. In Hodgson E. (Ed.). A Textbook of Modem Toxicology, 3rd ed. John Wiley Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 2004, pp. 279-297. 

Campbell, A. Inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases and environmental exposures. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 1035, 117-132, 2004. 

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