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Neurovascular Coupling

Meaning

Neurovascular coupling, often termed functional hyperemia, is the intricate physiological mechanism that links local neuronal activity to a rapid and proportionate change in cerebral blood flow (CBF). This dynamic process ensures that active brain regions receive a precise increase in oxygen and glucose delivery to meet their heightened metabolic demand during cognitive or motor tasks. The integrity of this coupling is essential for optimal brain function and is a critical metric assessed in functional neuroimaging techniques like fMRI. Impairment of this mechanism is implicated in various neurological disorders.