Neurovascular Interactions
Sponsored by the APS Cardiovascular Section

The goal of this symposium is to bring together those interested in how the development and  growth of nervous and vascular systems are coordinately regulated at the molecular level with those interested in how neural and vascular control are coupled dynamically in response to local changes in metabolic demand.  During development, vascular and nervous systems form highly branched networks which exhibit remarkable similarity in their anatomical projections. The first speaker (Dr. le Noble) will discuss how molecular cues that were first defined in the context of axon guidance also play critical roles in directing vascular patterning.  As the vasculature matures, particular vessels become selectively invested by autonomic sympathetic nerves.  The second speaker (Dr. Damon) will discuss the reliance of vascular sympathetic innervation on diffusible and contact-dependent mechanisms that affect axon growth, guidance, and target recognition.  In established systems, neuronal activity has a profound effect on tissue blood flow.  The third speaker (Dr. Segal) will consider blood flow control to skeletal muscle fibers in light of the dynamic interplay between the firing of somatic nerves during motor unit recruitment and sympathetic nerves during the control of peripheral vascular resistance.  Advances in noninvasive imaging are providing new understanding of the ‘functional unit’ of neurovascular coupling in the brain.  The fourth speaker (Dr. Lauritzen) will discuss how local changes in blood flow are associated with synaptic transmission as well as neuronal firing, thereby providing new insight into the spatial and temporal coupling between cerebral metabolism and blood flow. The complementary perspectives afforded by this ensemble of presentations offer new insight into the multi-dimensional nature of neurovascular interactions during development, growth, and metabolic demand.  Each speaker will have ~5 minutes to answer questions at the end of their presentation and the session will conclude with a 5-10 minute period in which the audience can address the entire ensemble of speakers.  The Chair or Co-Chair will give a brief introduction for each speaker.