Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is a multifactorial and heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by the abnormal amyloid-β deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, and irreversible death of progressive neuron. To date, the etiology and pathogenesis of AD are far from clear. Recent studies have suggested that the destruction of the blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity was closely associated with the pathogenesis of AD, and the destructed BBB integrity appeared to be early manifestation of AD pathological markers. Numerous evidences indicate that there is an interaction between BBB destruction and AD pathological markers, leading to a vicious cycle and promoting AD progression. Besides, apolipoprotein E, as the main risk gene of AD, is also involved in the regulation of BBB integrity. Disrupted integrity of BBB can be detected through cerebrospinal fluid test and neuroimaging (such as dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging) in vivo. This review briefly describes the advancement of the underlying mechanism and detection methods of BBB destruction on AD pathophysiology in recent years.

Alzheimer disease; Blood brain barrier; Apolipoprotein E; Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging