Introduction: From Static to Dynamic The human brain constitutes only 2% of the body weight, but receives 15% of cardiac output, accounts for almost 20% of the total oxygen consumption, and consumes approximately 25% of total body glucose utilization. The…
Introduction The blood–brain barrier (BBB) serves to limit the exposure of the brain parenchyma to foreign substances. Early experiments illustrate the “barrier” function present in the neurovasculature, as tracers such as peroxidase injected systemically are confined to vessel lumens or…
Introduction The vascular endothelium is a simple monolayer of cells that line the capillary lumen and is optimally placed at the interface of the blood circulation and vessel wall. Once considered to be merely a “cellophane wrapper” of the vessel…
Acknowledgments Work summarized in this chapter was supported by research grants from the National Institute of Health (HL-62984 and HL-113863), the Department of Veteran’s Affair’s (BX001399), the Fondation Leducq (Transatlantic Network of Excellence), and the National Health and Medical Research…
Introduction Vasa vasorum (VV) are defined literally as vessels of vessels, and are predominantly observed in large vessels with an important role under pathological conditions. Research on noncerebral VV has been established for over a century, including cardiac, pulmonary, aortic,…
Introduction Venous infarction of brain comprises only 1% of all strokes . Many predisposing conditions such as dehydration, coagulopathies, pregnancy, trauma, surgical interventions, inherited collagen disorders, and autoimmune vascular diseases may result in cerebral vein thrombosis. Fortunately not all of…
Introduction Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reflects pathology in the brain, and is essential in diagnosis of many neurological diseases, including those due to inflammation, infection, and immunological processes. CSF indicates pathological processes because of the continuity of the brain interstitial fluid…
Introduction The maintenance of the interstitial compartment is a basic element of an organ’s function that is of utmost importance in the brain, given neural cells’ exquisite sensitivity to changes in their extracellular environment. In peripheral tissues, interstitial fluid (ISF)…
Introduction Research on microcirculation has led to an unprecedented progress with help of amazing developments in imaging technology. It is now possible to image capillaries with high resolution down to the depths of cortex, measure O 2 saturation and tension…
Introduction The adult human brain represents about 2% of total body weight, but receives nearly 15% of total resting cardiac output. Under normal conditions, the brain is highly perfused and is extremely sensitive to any change or interruption in its…