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Science 21 August 1987:
Vol. 237. no. 4817, pp. 896 - 898
DOI: 10.1126/science.3616619
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Articles

Science, Vol 237, Issue 4817, 896-898
Copyright © 1987 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Does the release of potassium from astrocyte endfeet regulate cerebral blood flow?

OB Paulson and EA Newman

Local increases in neuronal activity within the brain lead to dilation of blood vessels and to increased regional cerebral blood flow. Increases in extracellular potassium concentration are known to dilate cerebral arterioles. Recent studies have suggested that the potassium released by active neurons is transported through astrocytic glial cells and released from their endfeet onto blood vessels. The results of computer simulations of potassium dynamics in the brain indicate that the release of potassium from astrocyte endfeet raises perivascular potassium concentration much more rapidly and to higher levels than does diffusion of potassium through extracellular space, particularly when the site of a potassium increase is some distance from the vessel wall. On the basis of this finding, it is proposed that the release of potassium from astrocyte endfeet plays an important role in regulating regional cerebral blood flow in response to changes in neuronal activity.


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