Research progress on the role of neurovascular unit dysfunction in elderly patients with epileptic seizures

VernacularTitle:老年癫痫发作中神经血管单元功能障碍的作用机制研究进展
Author: Xuan LIU ¹ ; Rong YIN
Author Information

1. 甘肃省妇幼保健院/甘肃省中心医院神经内科,甘肃兰州 730070
Keywords: epilepsy in the elderly; neurovascular unit; blood-brain barrier; mechanism of action
From: Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(4):490-494
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: The neurovascular unit(NVU)is the smallest structural unit that maintains the integrity of the blood-brain barrier(BBB),regulates cerebral physiological activities,and maintains the homeostasis of the brain's internal environment.It has become a hot topic in the study of brain physiology and pathological changes.NVU plays a crucial role in age-dependent central nervous system diseases such as cerebral white matter lesions,cognitive impairment,and cerebrovascular disease.Its dysfunction can lead to destruction of BBB integrity,with subsequent protein leakage,immune-inflammatory responses,and alterations in cerebral hemodynamics,all of which can trigger seizures or progression of neurodegenerative disorders.Conversely,seizures can also accelerate NVU dysfunction and promote brain aging.The review summarizes the role of dysfunctional constituent cells of the NVU in the pathogenesis of age-dependent epilepsy and the research progress in related molecular pathways,aiming to provide new perspectives for epilepsy treatment research.