Search

Ca(2+)-dependent pathways in neurons and astrocyte endfeet initiate changes in arteriole diameter to regulate local brain blood flow. Whether there exists a threshold of synaptic activity in which arteriole diameter is controlled independent of astrocyte endfeet Ca(2+) remains unclear. We used two-photon fluorescence microscopy to examine synaptically evoked synthetic or genetic Ca(2+) indicator signals around penetrating arterioles in acute slices of the rat neocortex. We discovered a threshold below which vasodilation occurred in the absence of endfeet Ca(2+) signals but with consistent neuronal Ca(2+) transients, suggesting endfoot Ca(2+) is not necessary for activity-dependent vasodilation under subtle degrees of brain activation.

Astrocytes are thought to play an important role in NVC, a process that allows the brain to locally control blood flow in response to changes in activity. However, there is an ongoing debate as to when, and under what conditions astrocyte activity is required. In the following review we set forth the hypotheses that astrocytes: (i) act to modulate but not initiate functional hyperemia and (ii) help set the basal tone state of the brain microvasculature by the tonic release of vaso-active messengers. Through these actions astrocytes could help match metabolic demand with supply over a spectrum of activity timescales., (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)