The protective role of C-PC on damaged BBB was also suggested in a small vessel disease (SVD) study, in which McCarty reported that oxidative stress generated by NADPH oxidase may contribute to BBB damage, and PCB from Spirulina may improve the course of SVD by suppressing the activity of NADPH oxidase [84]. This evidence concerns the gene FMO5 and snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration.