The neurovascular unit – concept review

@article{Muoio2014TheNU,
  title={The neurovascular unit – concept review},
  author={Valeria Muoio and Pontus B. Persson and Mauricio Michalak Sendeski},
  journal={Acta Physiologica},
  year={2014},
  volume={210}
}
The cerebral hyperaemia is one of the fundamental mechanisms for the central nervous system homeostasis. Due also to this mechanism, oxygen and nutrients are maintained in satisfactory levels, through vasodilation and vasoconstriction. The brain hyperaemia, or coupling, is accomplished by a group of cells, closely related to each other; called neurovascular unit (NVU). The neurovascular unit is composed by neurones, astrocytes, endothelial cells of blood–brain barrier (BBB), myocytes, pericytes… 
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308 Citations

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The Neurovascular Unit: Focus on the Regulation of Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells.
TLDR
The main regulatory mechanisms of brain smooth muscle cells and their contributions to the correct brain homeostasis are discussed.
In Vivo Targeting of the Neurovascular Unit: Challenges and Advancements.
TLDR
The relative merits of available protein markers and drivers of the NVU along with recent advancements that have been made in the field are discussed to increase efficiency and specificity of NVU research.
Neurovascular Unit: Basic and Clinical Imaging with Emphasis on Advantages of Ferumoxytol
TLDR
Current strategies for interrogating the NVU are reviewed, focusing on vascular permeability, blood volume, and functional imaging, as assessed by ferumoxytol an iron oxide nanoparticle.
Retinal Neurovascular Coupling in Diabetes
TLDR
The present review summarizes the current evidence of impaired neurovascular coupling in patients with diabetes and the molecular mechanisms of functional hyperemia in health and disease will be covered.
Oxysterols and the NeuroVascular Unit (NVU): a far true love with bright and dark sides
The Role of a Neurovascular Signaling Pathway Involving Hypoxia-Inducible Factor and Notch in the Function of the Central Nervous System
TLDR
The current evidence regarding the contribution of oxygen deprivation to CNS injury is discussed, with an emphasis on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-mediated pathways and Notch signaling, which focuses on adult neurological functions and angiogenesis, as well as pathological conditions in the CNS.
Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in the Detrimental Brain Function
TLDR
This chapter will focus on the structure and function of the BBB and discuss how BBB breakdown causes detrimental brain function.
Neurovascular Units and Neural-Glia Networks in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: from Mechanisms to Translation.
TLDR
It has been shown that certain targets and candidates can improve ICH-induced secondary brain injury based on an NVU and neural-glia framework and therapeutic approaches and strategies for ICH are discussed.
In Vitro Model for Ischemic Stroke: Functional Analysis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.
TLDR
Differences demonstrate that the astrocytes mediate the vasoactive response of vascular smooth Muscle by releasing factors into the reperfusion medium, and the hypoxia time is fundamental for a beneficial/harmful response by the vascular smooth muscle.
The Neurovascular Unit: Effects of Brain Insults During the Perinatal Period
TLDR
A greater understanding of processes affecting the NVU in the perinatal period may enable application of targeted therapies, as well as providing a useful basis for research as it expands further into this area.
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