Research Article
Neurovascular Coupling in Neurological Disorders: A Comprehensive Review
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
52-61
Received:
11 October 2025
Accepted:
29 October 2025
Published:
26 November 2025
Abstract: This article provides a systematic review of current research on Neurovascular Coupling (NVC), covering its fundamental mechanisms, role in diseases, investigative technologies, and future directions. NVC describes the process where neuronal activity triggers localized changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF). This mechanism is orchestrated by the Neurovascular Unit (NVU), a functional complex comprising neurons, glial cells (e.g., astrocytes), and vascular cells (e.g., endothelial cells, pericytes, vascular smooth muscle cells). These components work in concert through intercellular signaling to co-regulate CBF. The regulation involves various vasoactive substances, including nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).Dysfunction of NVC is a critical pathological mechanism in neurological disorders. In Alzheimer's disease, abnormalities across the NVU lead to blood-brain barrier disruption and impaired clearance of amyloid-β, exacerbating cognitive decline. Similarly, in cerebral small vessel disease, endothelial dysfunction manifesting as impaired NVC is a key feature, with severity correlating with structural damage like white matter hyperintensities. Following an ischemic stroke, NVU component abnormalities cause acute NVC decoupling, and the degree of functional recovery is closely associated with neurological prognosis. Technologies for studying NVC are evolving. Established methods include functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), which measures the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal, and transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Recent advancements feature novel tools like high-speed, large-field-of-view photoacoustic/fluorescence hybrid microscopes (e.g., LiTA-HM), enabling cortex-wide imaging of neurovascular dynamics with subcellular resolution. Current research challenges include reliance on animal models. Future directions should integrate structural and functional neuroimaging techniques. Therapeutically, strategies aimed at enhancing endothelial function to restore NVC hold promise. Combining advanced imaging with omics technologies will likely deepen the understanding of the NVU and propel the field toward precise prevention and treatment of NVC-related diseases.
Abstract: This article provides a systematic review of current research on Neurovascular Coupling (NVC), covering its fundamental mechanisms, role in diseases, investigative technologies, and future directions. NVC describes the process where neuronal activity triggers localized changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF). This mechanism is orchestrated by the Neur...
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Research Article
Factors Associated with Psychological Distress Among General Medicine Students in Congo
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
62-68
Received:
5 October 2025
Accepted:
20 October 2025
Published:
9 December 2025
Abstract: Introduction: Psychological distress (PD) is a negative emotional state resulting from prolonged exposure to a stressor or an accumulation of environmental stressors. Objective: To identify factors associated with PD among general medicine students in Brazzaville. Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study. It was carried out over a period of 4 months at the FSSA. It focused on general medicine student (GMSs) from the first to the seventh year of medicine who consented to participate in the study. The variables studied were sociodemographic, academic, related to lifestyle and the medical educational environment, related to psychological distress and related to the need for psychological help and stress management. Results: The prevalence of psychological distress among medical students was 63.4%. The mean age of medical students was 21.5±2.8 years and the sex ratio was 0.6. Both parents were alive in 88.7%. The main source of funding was the parents in 47.5% and 70.3% of the GMSs who completed the internship had PD. In multivariate analysis, female gender (OR = 1.60; p = 0.015) and having at least one deceased parent (OR = 0.25; p = 0.036) were predictors of PD. Conclusion: PD is a concern for general medicine students in Brazzaville. Among the factors studied, female gender and poor perception of the educational environment are predictors of PD.
Abstract: Introduction: Psychological distress (PD) is a negative emotional state resulting from prolonged exposure to a stressor or an accumulation of environmental stressors. Objective: To identify factors associated with PD among general medicine students in Brazzaville. Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study. It was carried out...
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,
Yixiao Wang
