Decreased parenchymal arteriolar tone uncouples vessel-to-neuronal communication in a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment.

ABSTRACT: Chronic hypoperfusion is a key contributor to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions, but the cellular mechanisms remain ill-defined. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we sought to elucidate chronic hypoperfusion-evoked functional changes at the neurovascular unit. We used bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS), a well-established model of vascular cognitive impairment, combined with an ex vivo preparation that allows pressurization of parenchymal arterioles in a brain slice. Our results demonstrate that mild (~ 30%), chronic hypoperfusion significantly altered the functional integrity of the cortical neurovascular unit. Although pial cerebral perfusion recovered over time, parenchymal arterioles progressively lost tone, exhibiting significant reductions by day 28 po

SUBMITTER: Kim KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8190257 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature