Neurovascular coupling under the microscope

目前科学界的一个主要前沿领域是了解人类大脑的运作方式。研究大脑功能的最先进方法之一是使用功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）。然而，功能磁共振成像并不测量神经活动;相反，它测量与神经活动相关的血容量和耗氧量的变化。大脑中神经和血管之间的这种关系称为神经血管耦合。虽然神经血管耦合的存在早在世纪前就被发现了，但直到今天，人们对它的实际发生机制仍知之甚少。我们将进行的研究将尝试和理解究竟是什么关系和机制的神经血管耦合使用麻醉大鼠准备。对功能性磁共振成像信号的更深入理解将导致利用该技术的方法更加复杂，无论是在复杂实验的设计中，还是更重要的是，如何解释它们。增加对神经血管耦合的理解也将具有更广泛的意义。有许多疾病涉及神经血管耦合的变化，包括阿尔茨海默氏症、中风和脑肿瘤。如果我们能够发现健康的大脑是如何调节血液供应的，那么当这种关系破裂时，我们将能够更好地解决问题。

One of the major remaining scientific frontiers is to understand the workings of the human brain. One of the most advanced methods of investigating brain function is to use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). However, fMRI does not measure neural activity; rather, it measures the changes in blood volume and oxygen consumption associated with neural activity. This relationship between nerves and blood vessels in the brain is called neurovascular coupling. Though the existence of neurovascular coupling was first discovered over a century ago, to this day how it actually occurs is poorly understood. The research we will perform will try and understand exactly what the relationships and mechanisms of neurovascular coupling are using a anaesthetised rat preparation. A greater understanding of the fMRI signal will lead to increased sophistication in ways to exploit the technique, both in the design of complex experiments and more importantly, how they should be interpreted. Increased understanding of neurovascular coupling will also have wider implications. There are many diseases or illnesses involving changes in neurovascular coupling, including Alzheimers, stroke and brain tumours. If we can uncover how the healthy brain regulates its blood supply we will be in a better position to address problems when this relationship breaks down.