For normal function brain requires proper supply of oxygen and glucose in a timely and local manner. This is achieved through intercellular communications, a process known as nerovascular coupling. At least that is what was believed till today. Recent studies showed us that this process besides activated perivascular neurons also involves astrocycites. Together they alter local vascular tone and so adjust perfusion to the spatial and temporal changes in brain activ\u00adity. Cerebral blood vessels at the surface and within the brain are surrounded by nerve fibres that originate, respectively, from peripheral nerve ganglia and intrinsic brain neurons. Although\u00a0of different origin and targeting distinct vascular beds, perivascular nerves similarly regulate cerebrovascular tone and therein brain perfusion. Astrocytes, cells with extensive contacts with both synapses and cerebral blood vessels, also participate in the increases in flow evoked by synaptic activity. Their structural organization indicates that they are uniquely positioned to shape the spatial distribution of the vascular responses that are evoked by neural activi\u00adty. Astrocytic calcium is an important determinant of microvascular function and may regulate flow independently of synaptic activity. Ultimately, cerebrovascular endothelium exerts a pro\u00adfound influence on cerebral vessels and cerebral blood flow. The endothelium contributes to the resting tone of cerebral arteries and arterioles by tonically releasing nitric oxide. It may participate in neurovascular coupling by conducting local dilations to upstream arteries. So nowadays we speak about neuro-astrocyte-vascular tripartite unit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For normal function brain requires proper supply of oxygen and glucose in a timely and local manner. This is achieved through intercellular communications, a process known as nerovascular coupling. At least that is what was believed till today. Recent studies showed us that this process besides activated perivascular neurons also involves astrocycites. Together they alter […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[381,420],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-3-2008-archive","category-physiology"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n