Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis
and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in …

Neuronal activity results in increased blood flow in the brain, a response named functional
hyperemia. Astrocytes play an important role in mediating this response. Neurotransmitters …

We review the cellular and physiological mechanisms responsible for the regulation of blood
flow in the retina and choroid in health and disease. Due to the intrinsic light sensitivity of the …

Several lines of evidence indicate that the elaborated calcium signals and the occurrence of
calcium waves in astrocytes provide these cells with a specific form of excitability. The …

The mechanisms by which active neurons, via astrocytes, rapidly signal intracerebral
arterioles to dilate remain obscure. Here we show that modest elevation of extracellular …

Moment-to-moment changes in local neuronal activity lead to dynamic changes in cerebral
blood flow. Emerging evidence implicates astrocytes as one of the key players in …

Three enzyme systems, cyclooxygenases that generate prostaglandins, lipoxygenases that
form hydroxy derivatives and leukotrienes, and epoxygenases that give rise to …

Neurovascular coupling, or functional hyperaemia, refers to complex mechanisms of
communication between neurons, astrocytes and cerebral vessels which form the …

The retinal vasculature supplies cells of the inner and middle layers of the retina with oxygen
and nutrients. Photic stimulation dilates retinal arterioles producing blood flow increases, a …

Astrocytes send processes to synapses and blood vessels, communicate with other
astrocytes through gap junctions and by release of ATP, and thus are an integral component …