NMM/OMTReview Article

Osteopathic Cranial Manipulative Medicine and the Blood Brain Barrier: A Mechanistic Approach to Alzheimer Prevention

Michael McAree, OMS II; Alexis Dunn, OMS II; Jared Furtado, OMS II; Clinton Timmerman, OMS II; Zachary Winchell, OMS II; Radhika Rani, OMS II; Jennifer Farah, OMS II; and Lauren J. Crispino, OMS II
Notes and Affiliations
Notes and Affiliations

Received: September 25, 2018

Accepted: October 19, 2018

Published: May 13, 2019

J Osteopath Med; 119(6): e25-e28
Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction may be implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, thus establishing a link between disease manifestation and compromised neurovasculature. The authors identify relationships between Alzheimer disease and BBB breakdown, the response of the BBB to increased cerebral blood flow and shear stress, and the impact of osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine on cerebrovascular hemodynamics. They propose and review a rationale for future research to evaluate osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine as a preventive treatment for patients with illnesses of neurovascular origin.

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