Brain capillary pericytes and neurovascular coupling

The neurovascular coupling ensures that cerebral activity is matched by the relevant blood flow. The control of the blood flow is mediated by capillaries and by the precapillary aterioles. It is the tone of the mural cells, which include pericytes, smooth muscle cells and cells with intermediate phenotypes between pericytes and smooth muscle cells, that determine the the diameter of the blood vessels and consequently the flow. Here we discuss the structure of these blood vessels and the excitationcontraction coupling of the mural cells.

Automated summary

Neurovascular coupling is essential for matching cerebral activity with relevant blood flow, controlled by capillaries and precapillary arterioles. Mural cells, such as pericytes and smooth muscle cells, play a crucial role in determining blood vessel diameter and flow through their tone. The structure of these blood vessels and excitation-contraction coupling of mural cells are important factors to consider.