Quote

Injury to the microvasculature by immune complexes with complement activation is the key central event that results in breakdown of the blood–brain barrier, microthromboses, perivascular inflammation and neuronal injury.

Interpretation Notes

• “Microthromboses” means when tiny blood clots jam up tiny blood vessels, cutting off the flow of oxygenated blood to the tissues they supply. When this happens in the brain, it’s popularly called “mini strokes”.
• “Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier” is bad news.
• “Neuronal injury” means damage to brain cells per se.