Syllabus · Current · V5 (2025) · Nervous System including autonomic and pain

H2 · Nervous System Physiology

H2.iv · Blood–Brain Barrier

Official V5 objective
Describe the blood brain barrier including the structure, function and relevant transport mechanisms.
1 SAQ topic 4 SAQ appearances 0 VIVA stations

Written examination

SAQ history

4 appearances
2025A Q05
With respect to the blood brain barrier (BBB), outline the following: (a) the structure (15% of marks). (b) its function (25% of marks). (c) the mechanisms by which substances, including drugs move across the BBB and explain how this is determined or regulated (45% of marks). (d) the regions that lie outside the BBB and their purpose (15% of marks).
24%
2015A Q03
Describe the structure and function of the blood brain barrier
33%
2012B Q12
Describe the blood brain barrier (50% of marks). What characteristics does a drug need to effectively penetrate the blood brain barrier? (50% of marks)
41%
2009B Q08
Describe the blood brain barrier. (50% of marks) What characteristics does a drug need to effectively penetrate into the central nervous system? (50% of marks)
22%

Oral examination

VIVA history

0 stations

No mapped VIVA history for this objective.

Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.