Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42363168›Full record

SynthesisFluids and barriers of the CNS2026

Convergent blood-brain barrier breakdown in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review of preclinical animal models.

Cristina Morente-Montilla, María Fernández-Guillén, Ana Gómez-Garrido, Susana García-Cerro, Amanda Moreno-Mellado, Matthew Campbell, Hermona Soreq, David S Greenberg, Maria A Deli, Benedicto Crespo-Facorro and 2 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Fluids and barriers of the CNS, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Cristina Morente-Montilla *Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, Seville, 41013, Spain.
María Fernández-Guillén *Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, Seville, 41013, Spain.
Ana Gómez-GarridoInstituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, Seville, 41013, Spain.
Susana García-CerroInstituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, Seville, 41013, Spain.
Amanda Moreno-MelladoInstituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, Seville, 41013, Spain.
Matthew CampbellSmurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, 2, Ireland.
Hermona SoreqEdmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
David S GreenbergEdmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Maria A DeliInstitute of Biophysics, HUN-REN BiologicalResearch Centre, Szeged, Hungary.
Benedicto Crespo-FacorroInstituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, Seville, 41013, Spain. bcrespo@us.es.
Celia Martín-Cuevas *Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, Seville, 41013, Spain. cmartinc-ibis@us.es.
Maurizio S Riga *Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)/University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Sevilla, Manuel Siurot AV, Seville, 41013, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSchizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with multifactorial origins involving genetic and environmental risk factors. Both conditions share overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, and circuit-level disturbances. Emerging evidence implicates blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction as a potential common element in their pathogenesis. Specifically, BBB disruption is a recurring feature in preclinical models of SCZ and ASD, suggesting its role as a transdiagnostic mechanism in neurodevelopmental disorders. This systematic review aims to evaluate BBB alterations-including permeability, integrity, developmental changes, and tight junction (TJ) protein expression-in rodent models of SCZ- and ASD-like phenotypes.

methodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, we screened experimental studies assessing BBB status in murine models of SCZ and ASD compared to wild type rodents. Inclusion criteria focused on models based on genetic manipulation and environmental insults. Included studies consistently reported BBB alterations across diverse models.

resultsFindings showed disrupted TJ protein expression (claudin-5, occludin, ZO-1), increased permeability, and endothelial dysfunction. Both genetic (e.g., Shank3, 22q11.2 deletion, etc.) and environmental (e.g., maternal immune activation, valproate exposure, etc.) models exhibited BBB abnormalities. Pharmacological and experimental interventions targeting the BBB-such as claudin-5 modulation or β-catenin signaling-ameliorated BBB damage and behavioral phenotypes.

conclusionsThat BBB disruption is a recurring feature in preclinical models of SCZ and ASD suggests its pursuit as a transdiagnostic mechanism in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, as many findings rely on single studies, further replication is essential. Future studies should explore sex differences, critical developmental windows, and therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring BBB function.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderBlood-Brain BarrierDisease Models, AnimalSchizophreniaAnimalsHumansTight JunctionsAnimal modelsBlood-brain barrier permeabilityClaudin-5NeurodevelopmentTight junctions

Identifiers

PMID42363168
PMCPMC13309960

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.