Cerebral blood flow–related pathways (CBF pathways)

Cerebral blood flow–related pathways encompass the physiological mechanisms that ensure the brain receives a constant and sufficient supply of oxygenated blood (StatPearls, 2023). These pathways are governed by several regulatory systems, including cerebral autoregulation, which maintains flow despite systemic blood pressure changes, and neurovascular coupling, which adjusts local flow based on neuronal demand (PubMed, 2021). The neurovascular unit, comprising neurons, astrocytes, and vascular cells, serves as the primary functional entity managing these processes (NIH, 2022). Dysregulation of these pathways is a significant factor in the development of neurological disorders such as ischemic stroke, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's disease (Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 2020). While not a single molecular target, pharmacological intervention typically targets specific components within these pathways, such as ion channels or signaling enzymes, to improve perfusion or protect brain tissue from ischemia (PubChem, 2024).

Other names

Cerebral blood flow regulationNeurovascular couplingCerebral autoregulationCBF regulation

Modulation of vascular tone through various mechanisms including calcium channel blockade, carbonic anhydrase inhibition, and nitric oxide signaling.