Advanced in vitro approach to study neurovascular coupling mechanisms in the brain microcirculation

Key points •  We show that parenchymal arterioles of less than 30 μm in diameter can be successfully cannulated and perfused in cortical and hypothalamic brain slices. •  Increased flow/pressure induced parenchymal arteriolar constriction. •  Alternatively to video microscopy, diameter measurements of cannulated arterioles could be obtained from perfusion velocity values obtained using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. •  Perfused and pressurized parenchymal arterioles responded with dilatation to two well‐established signals in neurovascular coupling, K + (10 mM) and activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs).