Local potassium signaling couples neuronal activity to vasodilation in the brain

Jessica A. Filosa, Adrian D. Bonev, Stephen V. Straub, Andrea L. Meredith, M. Keith Wilkerson, Richard W. Aldrich, Mark T. Nelson

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The mechanisms by which active neurons, via astrocytes, rapidly signal intracerebral arterioles to dilate remain obscure. Here we show that modest elevation of extracellular potassium (K+) activated inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels and caused membrane potential hyperpolarization in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of intracerebral arterioles and, in cortical brain slices, induced Kir-dependent vasodilation and suppression of SMC intracellular calcium (Ca2+) oscillations. Neuronal activation induced a rapid (
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1397-1403
    Number of pages6
    JournalNature Neuroscience
    Volume9
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2006

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