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Neuroinflammation and blood–brain barrier dysfunction in cerebral small vessel disease: mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic implications
Lixin Luo, Song Qiao. European journal of medical research, 2026-01-23
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a chronic, progressive cerebrovascular disorder affecting small arteries, arterioles, venules, and capillaries, and is a leading contributor to stroke, vascular dementia, and cognitive impairment. Accumulating evidence has revealed that the pathogenesis of CSVD is multifactorial, with neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction emerging as central pathological processes. Notably, a bidirectional feedback loop between neuroinflammation and BBB breakdown has been identified. Endothelial cells, microglia, oligodendrocytes, as main cell components in maintaining the physiological functions of BBB performed significant roles. Imaging modalities have improved detection of BBB permeability changes and CSVD progression. Recent translational research has identified potential biomarkers for early diagnosis. Therefore, some new therapeutic approaches targeting the neuroinflammation-BBB axis can provide better early intervention for CSVD and have superior therapeutic effects. In our review, we first elaborated on the pathological role of CSVD, particularly emphasizing the importance of the integrity of the BBB. Then, we highlighted the clinical characteristics and translational research evidence of CSVD, including novel imaging and biochemical biomarkers, potential therapeutic approaches, and the progress of preclinical models, thereby revealing the research progress of CSVD.
Key findings
- Accumulating evidence has revealed that the pathogenesis of CSVD is multifactorial, with neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction emerging as central pathological processes.
- Endothelial cells, microglia, oligodendrocytes, as main cell components in maintaining the physiological functions of BBB performed significant roles.
Why it matters
This review describes neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction as central processes in cerebral small vessel disease, a contributor to vascular dementia, and discusses potential biomarkers and therapies targeting this axis. No treatment is proven here, and the work is a review of mechanisms and early translational research.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 45/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on senior author's track record, so that was left out: it earned 43 of the 96 points we could judge it on, which is 45 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (European journal of medical research) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | European journal of medical research: journal h-index 80 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 18 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 9.0 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 6 / 6 | Cited 45.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 18 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | — / 4 | OpenAlex's profile for last-listed author Song Qiao holds only 3 work(s), too few to judge a track record — left out of this score |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Zhejiang Chinese Medical University: institution h-index 228 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41578396) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Points | 43 / 96 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 43 of the 96 points we could judge it on is 45 out of 100. |
| Total | 45 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s40001-026-03840-z
- PubMed: 41578396
- Original source →
- Free full text: European journal of medical research →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Luo, L., & Qiao, S. (2026). Neuroinflammation and blood–brain barrier dysfunction in cerebral small vessel disease: mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic implications. European journal of medical research. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-026-03840-z
Vancouver
Luo L, Qiao S. Neuroinflammation and blood–brain barrier dysfunction in cerebral small vessel disease: mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic implications. European journal of medical research. 2026. doi:10.1186/s40001-026-03840-z. PMID: 41578396.
BibTeX
@article{luo2026-41578396,
author = {Luo, Lixin and Qiao, Song},
title = {{Neuroinflammation and blood–brain barrier dysfunction in cerebral small vessel disease: mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic implications}},
journal = {European journal of medical research},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1186/s40001-026-03840-z},
pmid = {41578396},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-026-03840-z}
}
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