"Vasculo-Neuronal Coupling and Neurovascular Coupling at the Neurovascular Unit: Impact of Hypertension"

PRESA, JESSICA; SARAVIA, FLAVIA; FILOSA, JESSICA

Frontiers in Physiology

Frontiers

Año: 2020

Components of the neurovascular unit (NVU) establish dynamic crosstalk thatregulates cerebral blood flow and maintain brain homeostasis. Here, we describeevidence for cells of the NVU contributing to critical physiological processes such ascerebral autoregulation, neurovascular coupling, and vasculo-neuronal coupling. Wediscuss how alterations in the cellular mechanisms governing NVU homeostasis canlead to pathology for which vascular cell and astrocyte function may play a key role.Because hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for stroke and accelerated cognitivedecline in aging, we focus on hypertension-associated changes on cerebral arteriolefunction and structure, and how these may contribute to cognitive decline. We gatherevidence concerning cognitive loss in hypertension and the link with dementias likeAlzheimer?s disease. Collectively, we summarize how vascular dysfunction,hypoperfusion, oxidative stress and inflammatory processes can uncouplecommunication at the NVU impairing cerebral perfusion and contributing toneurodegeneration.