Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: A Physiological Mechanism and Methodological Review of Neurovascular Coupling
Neurovascular coupling (NVC) refers to the dynamic regulation of cerebral blood flow via neuronal activity, a mechanism crucial for maintaining normal brain function. This review elucidates the intricate physiological mechanisms underlying NVC, emphasizing the coordinated roles of neurons, glial cel...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/5/442 |
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| author | Jiawen Zhong Gen Li Zexiang Lv Jingbo Chen Chunyan Wang Ansheng Shao Zhiwei Gong Junjie Wang Siqiao Liu Jun Luo Shuping Yang Sibei Wu Lin Ning Zhinong Wang Jiahao Li Yu Wu |
| author_facet | Jiawen Zhong Gen Li Zexiang Lv Jingbo Chen Chunyan Wang Ansheng Shao Zhiwei Gong Junjie Wang Siqiao Liu Jun Luo Shuping Yang Sibei Wu Lin Ning Zhinong Wang Jiahao Li Yu Wu |
| author_sort | Jiawen Zhong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neurovascular coupling (NVC) refers to the dynamic regulation of cerebral blood flow via neuronal activity, a mechanism crucial for maintaining normal brain function. This review elucidates the intricate physiological mechanisms underlying NVC, emphasizing the coordinated roles of neurons, glial cells, and vascular cells in mediating activity-induced changes in blood flow. We examine how NVC is impaired in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and stroke, where the dysfunction of this coupling contributes to neurodegeneration and neurological deficits. A broad range of techniques for assessing NVC is discussed—encompassing the established modalities like transcranial Doppler, near-infrared spectroscopy, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), as well as emerging technologies such as functional ultrasound imaging and miniaturized endoscopy that enable high-resolution monitoring in deep brain regions. We also highlight the computational modeling approaches for simulating NVC dynamics and identify the novel biomarkers of NVC dysfunction with potential utility in early diagnosis. Finally, emerging translational applications—including neuromodulation techniques and targeted pharmacological interventions—are explored as means to restore normal neurovascular function. These advancements underscore the clinical significance of NVC research, paving the way for improved diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies in neurological disorders. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a262bb796ffa4fe0a2b3d500ef1c71b8 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2306-5354 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bioengineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-a262bb796ffa4fe0a2b3d500ef1c71b82025-08-20T03:14:42ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542025-04-0112544210.3390/bioengineering12050442Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: A Physiological Mechanism and Methodological Review of Neurovascular CouplingJiawen Zhong0Gen Li1Zexiang Lv2Jingbo Chen3Chunyan Wang4Ansheng Shao5Zhiwei Gong6Junjie Wang7Siqiao Liu8Jun Luo9Shuping Yang10Sibei Wu11Lin Ning12Zhinong Wang13Jiahao Li14Yu Wu15School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaFaculty of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, ChinaNeurovascular coupling (NVC) refers to the dynamic regulation of cerebral blood flow via neuronal activity, a mechanism crucial for maintaining normal brain function. This review elucidates the intricate physiological mechanisms underlying NVC, emphasizing the coordinated roles of neurons, glial cells, and vascular cells in mediating activity-induced changes in blood flow. We examine how NVC is impaired in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and stroke, where the dysfunction of this coupling contributes to neurodegeneration and neurological deficits. A broad range of techniques for assessing NVC is discussed—encompassing the established modalities like transcranial Doppler, near-infrared spectroscopy, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), as well as emerging technologies such as functional ultrasound imaging and miniaturized endoscopy that enable high-resolution monitoring in deep brain regions. We also highlight the computational modeling approaches for simulating NVC dynamics and identify the novel biomarkers of NVC dysfunction with potential utility in early diagnosis. Finally, emerging translational applications—including neuromodulation techniques and targeted pharmacological interventions—are explored as means to restore normal neurovascular function. These advancements underscore the clinical significance of NVC research, paving the way for improved diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies in neurological disorders.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/5/442neurovascular couplingcerebral blood flowmultimodal techniques |
| spellingShingle | Jiawen Zhong Gen Li Zexiang Lv Jingbo Chen Chunyan Wang Ansheng Shao Zhiwei Gong Junjie Wang Siqiao Liu Jun Luo Shuping Yang Sibei Wu Lin Ning Zhinong Wang Jiahao Li Yu Wu Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: A Physiological Mechanism and Methodological Review of Neurovascular Coupling Bioengineering neurovascular coupling cerebral blood flow multimodal techniques |
| title | Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: A Physiological Mechanism and Methodological Review of Neurovascular Coupling |
| title_full | Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: A Physiological Mechanism and Methodological Review of Neurovascular Coupling |
| title_fullStr | Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: A Physiological Mechanism and Methodological Review of Neurovascular Coupling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: A Physiological Mechanism and Methodological Review of Neurovascular Coupling |
| title_short | Neuromodulation of Cerebral Blood Flow: A Physiological Mechanism and Methodological Review of Neurovascular Coupling |
| title_sort | neuromodulation of cerebral blood flow a physiological mechanism and methodological review of neurovascular coupling |
| topic | neurovascular coupling cerebral blood flow multimodal techniques |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/5/442 |
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