Leaky Blood-Brain Barrier (IMAGE) Virginia Tech Caption Brain cells called astrocytes appear in green, and purple represents the leakage of the blood-brain barrier. Together they show that leakage occurs around areas where astrocytes have been ablated. Now, in a study with potential impacts on a variety of neurological diseases, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute scientists have provided the first experimental evidence from a living organism to show that astrocytes are essential for blood-brain barrier health. Credit Ben Heithoff et al/Virginia Tech Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.