Cocoa, neurovascular coupling, and neurodegeneration

Abstract

Though the human brain is only ∼2% of body mass, it represents more than 20% of total body oxygen and energy consumption,1,2 and the supply of blood to the active neurons must match their metabolic demand. Fortunately, the tight coupling between capillary endothelial cells, astrocytes, pericytes, and neurons—dubbed the neurovascular unit—ensures precise modulation of regional blood flow in response to local metabolic demand. This integration of supply and demand, termed neurovascular coupling (NVC), is critical to neurophysiologic health. Indeed, accumulating evidence shows an important role for cerebral vascular insufficiency in neurodegenerative diseases ranging from vascular cognitive impairment3 to Alzheimer disease.4 Therefore, targeting cerebral vascular pathology is a promising option for primary and secondary prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and subsequent cognitive impairments.