2026 ECNP Congress

S07.02

The blood-brain barrier as a target to restore brain function

Stefan Liebner — A. Dominguez-Belloso, R.M. Figueiredo, M. Armbrust, N. de Witt, K. Gneiding, J. Krawietz, N. Hellmann, D. Spitzer, S. Guérit, J. Macas, S. Thom, K. Devraj, E. de Vries · Goethe University Clinic, Institute of Neurology- Edinger Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

2026 ECNP Congress

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is essential for creating and maintaining tissue homeostasis in the central nervous system (CNS), which is key for proper neuronal function. Consequently, all major CNS pathologies exhibit various degrees of concomitant BBB dysfunction, either directly leading to the pathological process or supporting its progression.

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is considered the key player for inducing BBB-function in endothelial cells and its specific activation by the ligands Wnt7a/b and the Norrie disease protein/norrin, via the endothelial-specific co-receptors GPR124:Reck and Tspan12, respectively, has opened the door for novel therapeutic strategies.

Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway for BBB/BRB repair in ophthalmology

1. BBB structure and function
2. Development and maintenance of the BBB
a. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway in BBB/BRB vessel differentiation
3. BBB dysfunction in CNS pathologies: Alzheimer’s Disease
4. Therapeutic avenue of BBB repair
a.