Neuromediators in the cerebellar blood-brain barrier and its microenvironment. Immunocytochemical demonstration of taurine, glycine, serotonin, thiamin and AATase.

Cerebral capillaries represent the responsible structure for the establishment of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). It is known that in the Central Nervous System a relationship exists between neuronal activity and microvascular blood flow and permeability. Our analysis demonstrates the presence of several putative neuromediators-taurine. glycine, serotonin, thiamine and aspartate-in endothelial cells of the rat cerebellar cortex capillaries, as well as in the perivascular glia, neuronal bodies, dendrites and axon terminals that come in close contact with the basement membrane surrounding capillary wall. Our results support the conclusion of other biochemical and pharmacological studies on the relationship between these neuromediators and microvascular function in the Central Nervous System.