Long-range inhibitory neurons mediate cortical neurovascular coupling

Catherine F. Ruff; Fernanda Juarez Anaya; Samuel J. Dienel; Adiya Rakymzhan; Alain Altamirano-Espinoza; Jonathan J. Couey; Mitsuhiro Fukuda; Alan M. Watson; Aihua Su; Kenneth N. Fish; Maria Eulalia Rubio; Bryan M. Hooks; Sarah E. Ross; Alberto L. Vazquez

doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113970

NeuroscienceCell ReportsMar 19, 2024

Peer-reviewed journal article

Long-range inhibitory neurons mediate cortical neurovascular coupling

Catherine F. Ruff, Fernanda Juarez Anaya iD, Samuel J. Dienel iD, Adiya Rakymzhan iD, Alain Altamirano-Espinoza, Jonathan J. Couey iD, Mitsuhiro Fukuda iD, Alan M. Watson iD, Aihua Su, Kenneth N. Fish iD, Maria Eulalia Rubio iD, Bryan M. Hooks iD, Sarah E. Ross iD, Alberto L. Vazquez iD

PDF DOI Preprint

Post to X

Threads on X Post to Bluesky Threads on Bluesky

Abstract

Neuronal activity evokes a vascular response that is essential to sustain brain function. We show that neurovascular coupling (NVC) is mediated by long-range projecting GABAergic neurons that express Tacr1. Whisker stimulation elicited Tacr1 neuron activity in the barrel cortex through feed-forward excitatory pathways. Optogenetic activation of Tacr1 neurons elicited vasodilation, whereas inhibition significantly reduced whisker-evoked hemodynamic responses. Moreover, vasodilation was preceded by capillary pericyte activity, demonstrating a mechanism for NVC.