The Microcircualtion—Fantastic Voyage: Introduction

The past several decades have seen remarkable advances in the understanding of the cerebral microcirculation and in the powerful effects that disruption of small cerebral blood vessels has on brain function, especially cognition. It is therefore incumbent on us to gain a deeper understanding of the function of small cerebral vessels and of the brain alterations deriving from their dysfunction. As crystallized in the concept of neurovascular unit, it is now well-recognized that the interaction among neurons, glia, and vascular cells is of critical importance for brain development and for preserving brain integrity in the normal state and in disease. Unfortunately, despite these advances, fundamental questions concerning the pathobiology of these vessels and their impact on …