Long-range inhibitory neurons mediate cortical neurovascular coupling.
Cell Rep
; 43(4): 113970, 2024 Apr 23.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38512868
ABSTRACT
To meet the high energy demands of brain function, cerebral blood flow (CBF) parallels changes in neuronal activity by a mechanism known as neurovascular coupling (NVC). However, which neurons play a role in mediating NVC is not well understood. Here, we identify in mice and humans a specific population of cortical GABAergic neurons that co-express neuronal nitric oxide synthase and tachykinin receptor 1 (Tacr1). Through whole-tissue clearing, we demonstrate that Tacr1 neurons extend local and long-range projections across functionally connected cortical areas. We show that whisker stimulation elicited Tacr1 neuron activity in the barrel cortex through feedforward excitatory pathways. Additionally, through optogenetic experiments, we demonstrate that Tacr1 neurons are instrumental in mediating CBF through the relaxation of mural cells in a similar fashion to whisker stimulation. Finally, by electron microscopy, we observe that Tacr1 processes contact astrocytic endfeet. These findings suggest that Tacr1 neurons integrate cortical activity to mediate NVC.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Neurovascular Coupling
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Cell Rep
Year:
2024
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States