Full-field flicker evoked changes in parafoveal retinal blood flow.

ABSTRACT: When retinal activity is increased by exposure to dynamic visual stimuli, blood vessels dilate and the flow of blood within vessels increases to meet the oxygen and glucose demands of the neurons. This relationship is termed 'neurovascular coupling' and it is critical for regulating control of the human retinal vasculature. In this study, we used a recently developed technique based on a dual-beam adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope to measure changes in red blood cell velocities, vessel diameter, and flow in interconnected small parafoveal retinal vessels (< 50 µm) of nine healthy participants. A full-field flicker stimulus was presented onto the retina to induce a vascular response to neural activity. Flicker stimulation increased blood velocity, vessel diameter, and therefore

SUBMITTER: Warner RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7524838 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature