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Understanding the mechanisms of cerebral blood flow with respect to motor learning
Author(s) -
Hart Lucas M.,
Jakovcevic Danica,
Harder David
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1151.2
Subject(s) - cerebral blood flow , motor learning , neuroscience , forelimb , neurovascular bundle , medicine , motor skill , neuroplasticity , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anesthesia , anatomy
Neurons in the brain have been shown to undergo long‐term potentiation as a result of motor learning; under similar conditions, astrocytes undergo volume expansion. Neurons and astrocytes make up two of the three components comprising the neurovascular unit (NVU). The NVU matches local cerebral blood flow to neuronal activity resulting in functional hyperemia (FH). This investigation is aimed at developing a technique to study the third component of the NVU, cerebral vasculature, and determine whether FH undergoes plasticity over the course of motor learning. Male rats are pre‐trained in a skilled reaching task for food pellets followed by surgical placement of burr holes bilaterally over the forelimb sensorimotor cortex. A ring is then attached to the skull over each burr hole, which allows a laser Doppler flow probe to be fixed in place during motor training and removed each day following training. Rats are then subjected to a ten‐day training period. We show here that FH responses can be recorded in rats during training in a skilled reaching task. By using this technique to elucidate how FH changes in motor learning, we can provide important information on the plasticity of cerebral vasculature as the brain adapts to a task. This research may assist in future discoveries leading to early diagnosis and rehabilitation of cerebrovascular diseases. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health grant P01 HL59996.