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The neurovascular unit is a group of closely related cells and extracellular matrix components that function in the homeostatic haemodynamic response of cerebral hyperaemia.
Cerebral hyperaemia is a fundamental central nervous system mechanism of homeostasis that increases blood supply to neural tissue when necessary. This mechanism controls oxygen and nutrient levels using the methods of vasodilation and vasoconstriction in a multidimensional process involving the many cells of the neurovascular unit. The cells of the NVU sense the neural needs of oxygen and glucose and trigger the appropriate vasodilatory or vasoconstrictive responses. Thus the NVU plays a vital role of neurovascular coupling of neural activity and cerebral blood flow. Imaging has shown that areas of neural activity in the brain are supplied with an increased blood flow while blood flow to inactive regions is restricted.
Dysfunction of the NVU has been seen to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanisms are not well understood. One factor may be related to astrocyte dysfunction.