Diverse mechanisms regulating brain energy supply at the capillary level

Neural information processing depends critically on the brain's energy supply, which is provided in the form of glucose and oxygen in the blood. Regulation of this supply occurs by smooth muscle and contractile pericytes adjusting the diameter of arterioles and capillaries, respectively. Controversies exist over the relative importance of capillary and arteriolar level control, whether enzymatically generated signals or K+ ions are the dominant controller of cerebral blood flow, and the involvement of capillary endothelial cells. Here, we try to synthesise the relevant recent data into a coherent view of how brain energy supply is controlled and suggest approaches to answering key questions.

Automated summary

Neural information processing in the brain highly relies on energy supply of glucose and oxygen in the blood, regulated by adjusting the diameter of blood vessels. Controversies exist over the importance of capillary and arteriolar level control, the dominant controller of cerebral blood flow, and the involvement of capillary endothelial cells in this process.