Neurovascular Coupling Dysfunction: Natural Products as a Remedy to Manage Neurodegenerative Disorders
摘要
Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is a fundamental physiological process that ensures an adequate blood supply to activate neurons in brain regions to meet their metabolic demands. It plays a pivotal role in sustaining cerebral blood flow (CBF) within the neurovascular unit (NVU), which possesses pericytes, endothelial cells, glial cells, and neurons. The NVU plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and CBF, which are vital for sustaining normal brain function. Altered NVC can result in long-term impairment of neuron activity, which is associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Recently, natural compounds have come to light as propitious candidates for preventing and treating neurodegenerative disorders due to their diverse bioactivities and lower side effect profiles than synthetic drugs. The potential therapeutic effect of these compounds is gaining attention in clinical trials and translational research. This chapter explores the underlying pathophysiology of NVC that contributes to neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Furthermore, it highlights the therapeutic promise of natural products to restore and manage NVC function in NDDs, as they possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective characteristics.