Astrocytic endfoot Ca2+ and BK channels determine both arteriolar dilation and constriction

Neuronal activity is thought to communicate to arterioles in the brain through astrocytic calcium (Ca2+) signaling to cause local vasodilation. Paradoxically, this communication may cause vasoconstriction in some cases. Here, we show that, regardless of the mechanism by which astrocytic endfoot Ca2+ was elevated, modest increases in Ca2+ induced dilation, whereas larger increases switched dilation to constriction. Large-conductance, Ca2+-sensitive potassium channels in astrocytic endfeet mediated a majority of the dilation and the entire vasoconstriction, implicating local extracellular K+ as a vasoactive signal for both dilation and constriction. These results provide evidence for a unifying mechanism that explains the nature and apparent duality of the vascular response, showing that the degree and polarity of neurovascular coupling depends on astrocytic endfoot Ca2+ and perivascular K+.