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Neuroscience

Frontiers in Neuroenergetics ·

Volume 3 - 2011 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnene.2011.00001

A Guide to Delineate the Logic of Neurovascular Signaling in the Brain

  • David Kleinfeld1,2,3*corresponding author
  • Pablo Blinder1
  • Patrick J. Drew1
  • Jonathan D. Driscoll1
  • Arnaud Muller1
  • Philbert S. Tsai1
  • Andy Y. Shih1
  1. 11 Department of Physics, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
  2. 22 Section of Neurobiology, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
  3. 33 Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
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Abstract

The neurovascular system may be viewed as a distributed nervous system within the brain. It transforms local neuronal activity into a change in the tone of smooth muscle that lines the walls of arterioles and microvessels. We review the current state of neurovascular coupling, with an emphasis on signaling molecules that convey information from neurons to neighboring vessels. At the level of neocortex, this coupling is mediated by: (i) a likely direct interaction with inhibitory neurons, (ii) indirect interaction, via astrocytes, with excitatory neurons, and (iii) fiber tracts from subcortical layers. Substantial evidence shows that control involves competition between signals that promote vasoconstriction versus vasodilation. Consistent with this picture is evidence that, under certain circumstances, increased neuronal activity can lead to vasoconstriction rather than vasodilation. This confounds naïve interpretations of functional brain images. We discuss experimental approaches to detect signaling molecules in vivo with the goal of formulating an empirical basis for the observed logic of neurovascular control.

Keywords

References

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Citation

Kleinfeld, D., et al. (2011). A Guide to Delineate the Logic of Neurovascular Signaling in the Brain. Frontiers in Neuroenergetics, Volume 3. https://doi.org/
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3 - 2011

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Copyright © 2011 Kleinfeld, Blinder, Drew, Driscoll, Muller, Tsai and Shih.

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*Correspondence: David Kleinfeld

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