title: Vascular Supply of the Cerebral Cortex is Specialized for Cell Layers but Not Columns.
abstract: The vascular supply to layers and columns was compared in macaque primary visual cortex (V1) by labeling red blood cells via their endogenous peroxidase activity. Alternate sections were processed for cytochrome oxidase to reveal "patches" or "blobs," which anchor the interdigitated column systems of striate cortex. More densely populated cell layers received the most profuse blood supply. In the superficial layers the blood supply was organized into microvascular lobules, consisting of a central venule surrounded by arterioles. Each vessel was identified as an arteriole or venule by matching it with the penetration site where it entered the cortex from a parent arteriole or venule in the pial circulation. Although microvascular lobules and cytochrome oxidase patches had a similar periodicity, they bore no mutual relationship. The size and density of penetrating arterioles and venules did not differ between patches and interpatches. The red blood cell labeling in patches and interpatches was equal. Moreover, patches and interpatches were supplied by an anastomotic pial arteriole system, with no segregation of blood supply to the two compartments. Often a focal constriction was present at the origin of pial arterial branches, indicating that local control of cortical perfusion may be accomplished by vascular sphincters.
authors.affiliation: Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, The University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, The University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Piserchia
authors.affiliation: Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Economides
authors.affiliation: Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Horton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009195:Peroxidase
keywords: cytochrome oxidase blob; fMRI; macaque visual cortex; microvascular lobule; microvascular sphincter