Neurovascular coupling during hypercapnia in cerebral blood flow regulation.

Gordon, Grant R · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Neuronal activity consumes cellular energy and generates carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). To counter this metabolic challenge, synaptic signalling communicates with nearby microvasculature to increase local blood flow. Is this process solely based on feedforward synaptic signalling, or is the generated CO<sub>2</sub> also involved? This question was addressed in mice in a new Nature Communications publication by Tournissac and colleagues where they showed that neurovascular coupling is not affected by exogenous CO<sub>2</sub> or its associated acidification.

Medical subject headings