Impaired neurovascular coupling in aging and Alzheimer's disease: Contribution of astrocyte dysfunction and endothelial impairment to cognitive decline

• Published in: Experimental gerontology Vol. 94; pp. 52 - 58
• Main Authors: Tarantini, Stefano, Tran, Cam Ha T., Gordon, Grant R., Ungvari, Zoltan, Csiszar, Anna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.08.2017
• Subjects: Age Factors; Alzheimer Disease - metabolism; Alzheimer Disease - pathology; Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Animals; Astrocytes - metabolism; Astrocytes - pathology; Calcium Signaling; Cellular Senescence; Cerebral circulation; Cerebrovascular; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Cognition; Cognition Disorders - metabolism; Cognition Disorders - pathology; Cognition Disorders - physiopathology; Cognition Disorders - psychology; Cognitive Aging; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Functional hyperemia; Geroscience; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism; Microcirculation; Neurovascular Coupling; Oxidative Stress; Senescence; Vascular aging; VCI; VCID; Vascular aging; VCID; Microcirculation; Senescence; Functional hyperemia; Cerebral circulation; Cerebrovascular; VCI; Geroscience; Neurovascular coupling
• ISSN: 0531-5565; 1873-6815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.11.004

The importance of (micro)vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) in aging cannot be overemphasized, and the pathogenesis and prevention of age-related cerebromicrovascular pathologies are a subject of intensive research. In particular, aging impairs the increase in cerebral blood flow triggered by neural activation (termed neurovascular coupling or functional hyperemia), a critical mechanism that matches oxygen and nutrient delivery with the increased demands in active brain regions. From epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies the picture emerges of a complex functional impairment of cerebral microvessels and astrocytes, which likely contribute to neurovascular dysfunction and cognitive decline in aging and in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. This overview discusses age-related alterations in neurovascular coupling responses responsible for impaired functional hyperemia. The mechanisms and consequences of astrocyte dysfunction (including potential alteration of astrocytic endfeet calcium signaling, dysregulation of eicosanoid gliotransmitters and astrocyte energetics) and functional impairment of the microvascular endothelium are explored. Age-related mechanisms (cellular oxidative stress, senescence, circulating IGF-1 deficiency) impairing the function of cells of the neurovascular unit are discussed and the evidence for the causal role of neurovascular uncoupling in cognitive decline is critically examined. •Normal neurovascular coupling is critical for cognitive health.•Clinical and experimental evidence shows that aging impairs functional hyperemia.•ROS and IGF-1 deficiency contribute to neurovascular uncoupling in aging.