Question

What is the problem with the blood-brain barrier of a patient of Multiple Sclerosis?

(a) Springs a leak

(b) Allows all T-cells

(c) Allows all antigens

(d) Becomes rigid even don’t let carbon dioxide pass through.

This question was posed to me in exam.

The doubt is from Biopharmaceuticals topic in division Biopharmaceuticals of Drug Biotechnology

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) Springs a leak

To explain: Normally BBB prevents the passage of potentially harmful substances through blood vessel walls within the brain. But MS patients’ BBB ‘springs a leak’ thus it, as a result, allows activated T-cell to cross BBB and mount an attack on myelin. This leads to several events that lead to demyelination such as swelling, activation of macrophages, etc.