Neuro–vascular interactions articles from across Nature Portfolio

Neuro–vascular interactions are the interactions between blood vessels in the brain and their adjacent neurons, and are regulated by complex interactions between endothelial cells, pericytes, fibroblasts, neurons and glia. They regulate blood flow and provide vital support for brain development and neuronal function. Defective neuro–vascular function is associated with a variety of neurological disorders.

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  • News & Views |

    Age-related decline in brain health is associated with poor blood flow and limitations in energy supply, although the vascular mechanisms are poorly understood. We report an age-related decrease in responsivity of brain microvessels, accompanied by a decrease in vessel density and loss of vascular mural cell processes.

    Nature Aging 3, 153-154

  • News & Views |

    During cortical development, the generation of neurons from progenitors coincides with increasing vascularization and oxygen levels in the fetal brain and the transition from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism. Dong et al. identify lactate, a metabolite of anaerobic glycolysis, as a multifunctional regulator that coordinates synchrony of cortical neurogenesis and angiogenesis.

    • Daniel Z. Doyle
    •  & Kenneth Y. Kwan
    Nature Neuroscience 25, 839-840

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    | Open Access

    Microglia are brain resident immune cells with multiple functions. However, little is known about microglia-vascular interactions. In a recent paper published in Nature Communications, Bisht et al. identify a signalling mechanism that attracts and maintains microglia at the capillary wall. Moreover, they show that microglia regulate capillary vascular tone, playing a more significant role in blood flow regulation than previously thought.

    • Kassandra Kisler
    • , Angeliki Maria Nikolakopoulou
    •  & Berislav V. Zlokovic
    Nature Communications 12, 5290
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