{"id":"a4e21b3b-19e8-40fd-9571-9b4b68d29951","slug":"from-the-bench-to-the-bedside-breaking-down-the-blood-brain-barrier-decoding-the-habenula-understanding-hand-choice-and-the-role-of-ketone-bodies-in-epilepsy","title":"From the bench to the bedside: Breaking down the blood–brain barrier, decoding the habenula, understanding hand choice, and the role of ketone bodies in epilepsy","authors":["Jason S. Hauptman"],"abstract":"Background: Pericytes are critical for maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is composed of capillary endothelium, astrocytic end-feet processes, and pericytes. Recent studies have clarified the role of pericytes in regulating transcytosis and ensuring proper orientation of astrocytic end-feet during development. The habenula is involved in modulating avoidance behaviors and experience-dependent behavior modification, with potential implications for neuropsychiatric diseases. The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is implicated in hand choice during routine tasks, although definitive data on its role is limited. Methods: The study utilized two mouse models with disrupted platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/PDGF receptor β (PDGFR-β) signaling to investigate pericyte function in BBB integrity. Advanced tract-tracing techniques were employed in zebrafish to study the habenula's role in fear behavior. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to disrupt the left PPC to assess its influence on hand choice during reaching tasks. Results: Reduced pericyte densities in mutant mice were associated with increased brain water content and altered BBB integrity, confirmed by tracer accumulation in the brain parenchyma. In zebrafish, silencing the lateral habenula led to persistent freezing behavior in response to fear cues, indicating its role in experience-dependent behavior modification. Disruption of the left PPC resulted in increased ipsilateral hand choice, suggesting it provides a competing motor plan for hand selection. Conclusion: The findings highlight the essential role of pericytes in BBB integrity and suggest that habenular signaling may influence behavioral responses to stress. Additionally, the PPC appears to facilitate hand choice by managing competing motor plans. These insights could inform future therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders and enhance our understanding of motor decision-making. Keywords: blood-brain barrier, pericytes, habenula, behavior modification, posterior parietal cortex, hand choice, epilepsy, ketone bodies","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2010-12-22T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.74143","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/a4e21b3b-19e8-40fd-9571-9b4b68d29951/pdf"}