[Jim091866]

This site does a good job of explaining the BBB and why Duodopa may be so expensive. Because of the nanotechnology that it uses to get the drug into the brain. But then it talks of L-dopa like it is one of the easiest ones to do this with. HUH??? I don't get it. That would mean it is so expensive just because of the profit driven companies. Tell me it isn't so?? I just refuse to believe that, it would mean they are taking advantage of us!


http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/Is...TheBarrier.asp

[pegleg]

Now this is most interesting! I'm sure many of you have read Ron Hutton's research concerning the theory of having a deficient or "leaky" Blood Brain Barrier (BBB).

Jim - the link you gave shows a beautiful graphic explanation to how the BBB works (or doesn't work). I.'m not a highly medically trained professional, but have lots of experience in trials and medical terminology, etc. but are you suggesting that the method of delivery of a drug sends its price soaring? That makes sense, but their costs come
With the initial procedure needed for delivery (eg., transplanted cells, viral vectors, peg tubes, etc), the pharmaceutical company shouldn't get rich ofthe surgery alone!

And anyone reading this, could you please explain the hypothesis in this article of using ultrasound or natural "nutrient transport systems."

Thanks !

[Conductor71]

What I would like to know that is if we have a compromised blood brain barrier to begin with, how is it so darn easy for toxins and/or bacteria, viruses to permeate right on through yet our meds cannot? Something is wrong with that picture.


Laura

[Ronhutton]

Laura,
It is not necessarily easy for viruses etc to pass the BBB. The ability depends on two properties, the molecular size of the toxin, and its fat solubility. Then what most people forget is the BBB permeability is not constant. it can be altered, stress opens it and curcumin closes it. So if you say dopamine can't pass it, you have to derfine what the permeability is that you are talking about.
It is even more complicated than that. Levodopa is said to pass the BBB, whilst dopamine cannot pass. However, dopamine is a smaller molecule than Levodopa!! This is due to the greater fat solubility of levodpa.
Dopamine has a lower molecular weight than Levodopa since it is formed by Levodopa losing a molecule of carbon dioxcide.
Hope this helps and is not too heavy!
Ron