The neurovascular link in health and disease: an update.
Although the nervous and vascular systems are functionally different, they show a high degree of anatomic parallelism and cross-talk. They also share similar mechanisms and molecular cues that regulate their development and maintenance. Malfunctioning of this cross-talk can cause or influence several vascular and neuronal disorders. In this review, we first provide a brief overview of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern the neurovascular link. Second, we focus on two neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, to illustrate how a defective neurovascular link might contribute to their pathogenesis. Finally, we briefly discuss some therapeutic implications of the neurovascular link for designing strategies to treat these diseases.
Segura
Inmaculada
I
Vesalius Research Center (VRC), VIB, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.
De Smet
Frederik
F
Hohensinner
Philipp J
PJ
Ruiz de Almodovar
Carmen
C
Carmeliet
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy