Abstract: Our ageing population is bearing an increasing burden on society with an unprecedented rise in brain disease, especially neurodegeneration. Treatment for neurodegeneration is practically non-existent, one major reason being the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a crucial component in maintaining a healthy brain as it protects the brain from the entrance of toxins and removes them from the brain’s vicinity, providing proper clearance. Therefore, BBB malfunction is the basis for numerous brain diseases making it a major target for potential new treatments. A major common underlying mechanism for BBB damage is excessive central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. In turn, BBB disruption has been linked to the initiation of neuroinflammation, forming a vicious cycle. The release of cytokines and destruction of cells are associated with BBB breakdown through multiple molecular mechanisms leading to the chemical and hormonal dysregulation of the brain, increased immune cell infiltration, decreased removal of waste, and degeneration of CNS cells that depending on the affected brain region—ultimately lead to cognitive decline and other CNS disorders (Van Dyken and Lacoste, 2018; Figure 1).