Targeting calcium channels in pericytes may improve blood flow in Alzheimer's disease, addressing early vascular dysfunction linked to cognitive deficits.
By Dr. Chinta SidharthanReviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLMSep 23 2024 Blocking calcium channels in brain capillaries may enhance blood flow and alleviate early-stage Alzheimer's damage, new study suggests.
Current Alzheimer's disease research has shifted focus to early-stage targets for treatment, which includes cerebral blood flow. About the study In the present study, the researchers used nimodipine, a blood-brain barrier-permeable CaV blocker, to decrease the contraction of capillaries induced by pericytes to increase cerebral blood flow, dilate capillaries, and lower the viscosity of blood.
Advanced microscopic techniques such as two-photon microscopy were used on anesthetized and awake mice for in vivo imaging. Additionally, immunohistochemical methods using various antibodies and fluorescent secondary antibodies were conducted for vessel segment tracing and for quantifying the pericyte coverage.
Nimodipine was found to dilate capillaries and arteries in both brain slices and live mice, and the effect was more pronounced in the Alzheimer's disease mouse models. The cerebral blood flow increase was 74% greater in the Alzheimer's disease mouse models than that in normal mice, indicating that vascular constriction was also greater in Alzheimer's disease.
Blood Calcium Antibodies Blood Vessels Brain Capillaries Imaging Ion Microglia Microscopy Molecule Neuroscience Oxygen Pericytes Research Two-Photon Microscopy Vascular
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