TY - JOUR

T1 - Neurovascular Coupling: Physiological Foundations, Assessment Methods, and Post-Stroke Changes

AU - Абрамова, Виктория Дмитриевна

AU - Петровский, Евгений Дмитриевич

AU - Коростышевская, Александра Михайловна

AU - Савелов, Андрей Александрович

N1 - Abramova, V.D., Petrovskii, E.D., Korostyshevskaya, A.M. et al. Neurovascular Coupling: Physiological Foundations, Assessment Methods, and Post-Stroke Changes. Hum Physiol 51, 720–728 (2025). This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project no. 25-25-00023 (https://rscf.ru/project/25-25-00023/).

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - The aim of this article is to summarize current knowledge on the physiological basis of neurovascular coupling, highlight key aspects of its disruption in stroke, and consider the potential of integrating functional magnetic resonance imaging and arterial spin labeling methods for assessing these processes. The article describes in detail the mechanism of neurovascular coupling under normal conditions, as well as the impact of stroke on neurovascular uncoupling in the lesion site and in intact brain regions. Special attention is given to the use of functional MRI and arterial spin labeling as tools for evaluating perfusion changes and neuronal activity. Recent studies are reviewed to illustrate their application in clinical and research contexts, with an assessment of the strengths and limitations of these techniques in characterizing neurovascular coupling. The prospects of integrating these approaches for comprehensive assessment and monitoring of neurovascular coupling, and for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring neurovascular interactions in stroke patients, are discussed. This article provides a scientific basis for further studies in functional, quantitative, and noninvasive neuroimaging with a focus on evaluating neurovascular impairments.

AB - The aim of this article is to summarize current knowledge on the physiological basis of neurovascular coupling, highlight key aspects of its disruption in stroke, and consider the potential of integrating functional magnetic resonance imaging and arterial spin labeling methods for assessing these processes. The article describes in detail the mechanism of neurovascular coupling under normal conditions, as well as the impact of stroke on neurovascular uncoupling in the lesion site and in intact brain regions. Special attention is given to the use of functional MRI and arterial spin labeling as tools for evaluating perfusion changes and neuronal activity. Recent studies are reviewed to illustrate their application in clinical and research contexts, with an assessment of the strengths and limitations of these techniques in characterizing neurovascular coupling. The prospects of integrating these approaches for comprehensive assessment and monitoring of neurovascular coupling, and for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring neurovascular interactions in stroke patients, are discussed. This article provides a scientific basis for further studies in functional, quantitative, and noninvasive neuroimaging with a focus on evaluating neurovascular impairments.

KW - neurovascular coupling

KW - neurovascular uncoupling

KW - neurovascular unit

KW - stroke

KW - functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

KW - arterial spin labeling (ASL)

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105034842339

U2 - 10.1134/S036211972570094X

DO - 10.1134/S036211972570094X

M3 - Review article

VL - 51

SP - 720

EP - 728

JO - Human Physiology

JF - Human Physiology

SN - 0362-1197

IS - 6

ER -