Neurovascular Coupling in Seizures

Neurovascular coupling is a key control mechanism in cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation. Importantly, this process was demonstrated to be affected in several neurological disorders, including epilepsy. Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the basis for functional brain imaging, such as PET, SPECT, fMRI, and fNIRS, to assess and map neuronal activity, thus understanding NVC is critical to properly interpret functional imaging signals. However, hemodynamics, as assessed by these functional imaging techniques, continue to be used as a surrogate to map seizure activity; studies of NVC and cerebral blood flow control during and following seizures are rare. Recent studies have provided conflicting results, with some studies showing focal increases in CBF at the onset of a seizure while others show decreases. In this brief review article, we provide an overview of the current knowledge state of neurovascular coupling and discuss seizure-related alterations in neurovascular coupling and CBF control.

Contribution of nucleus raphe magnus to thermoregulation

Thermoregulation is the maintenance of the core body temperature. The regulation of body temperature is one of the most important functions of the nervous system. Nucleus raphe magnus, as a central circuit coordinates the homeostatic response and maintains body temperature during environmental temperature challenges and adjusts body temperature during the inflammatory response and behavioral states and in response to decreasing energy homeostasis. Our aim in this review is the understanding of thermoregulation by raphe magnus in mammals. This review summarizes the basic concepts of thermoregulation and subsequently assesses the physiological responses to cold stress, including skin blood flow control, sweating, sympathetic-derived cutaneous vasoconstriction and peripheral thermoregulatory control in brown adipose tissue.

PIP2: A critical regulator of vascular ion channels hiding in plain sight

The phosphoinositide, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), has long been established as a major contributor to intracellular signaling, primarily by virtue of its role as a substrate for phospholipase C (PLC). Signaling by Gq-protein–coupled receptors triggers PLC-mediated hydrolysis of PIP2into inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, which are well known to modulate vascular ion channel activity. Often overlooked, however, is the role PIP2itself plays in this regulation. Although numerous reports have demonstrated that PIP2is critical for ion channel regulation, how it impacts vascular function has received scant attention. In this review, we focus on PIP2as a regulator of ion channels in smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells—the two major classes of vascular cells. We further address the concerted effects of such regulation on vascular function and blood flow control. We close with a consideration of current knowledge regarding disruption of PIP2regulation of vascular ion channels in disease.

Brain capillary pericytes exert a substantial but slow influence on blood flow

The majority of the brain’s vasculature is comprised of intricate capillary networks lined by capillary pericytes. However, it remains unclear whether capillary pericytes contribute to blood flow control. Using two-photon microscopy to observe and manipulate single capillary pericytes in vivo, we find their optogenetic stimulation decreases lumen diameter and blood flow, but with slower kinetics than mural cells of upstream pial and pre-capillary arterioles. This slow, optogenetically-induced vasoconstriction was inhibited by the clinically-used vasodilator fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor that blocks contractile machinery. Capillary pericytes were also slower to constrict back to baseline following hypercapnia-induced dilation, and relax towards baseline following optogenetically-induced vasoconstriction. In a complementary approach, optical ablation of single capillary pericytes led to sustained local dilation and a doubling of blood cell flux in capillaries lacking pericyte contact. Altogether these data indicate that capillary pericytes contribute to basal blood flow resistance and slow modulation of blood flow throughout the capillary bed.

Hybrid repair of isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm

The best operation method for an isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm remains controversial. We report on a repair of an isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm. A 78-year-old man was referred to our facility for treatment of a left isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm. At first, we embolized the arteries distal to the aneurysm using coils and vascular plugs. Two weeks later, we performed open surgery. We resected the aneurysm wall through a transperitoneal approach only with proximal blood flow control and without surgical exposure and clamping of the arteries distal to the aneurysm. The blood flow of the internal iliac artery distal to the aneurysm had completely ceased after embolization in the first stage, which enabled us to avoid further pelvic dissection and potential bleeding. At the 6-month follow up, the patient was well and without complaints.