Calcium transients in nNOS neurons underlie distinct phases of the neurovascular response to barrel cortex activation in awake mice

• DOI: 10.1101/2022.10.03.510654
• Publication Date: 2022-10-06T07:30:18Z
• Authors: Sung Ji Ahn; Antoine Anfray; Josef Anrather; Costantino Iadecola
• Keywords: Barrel cortex; Premovement neuronal activity

Abstract Neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS), a Ca 2+ dependent enzyme, is expressed by distinct populations of neocortical neurons. Although neuronal NO well known to contribute the blood flow increase evoked neural activity, relationships between nNOS neurons activity and vascular responses in awake state remain unclear. We imaged barrel cortex awake, head-fixed mice through chronically implanted cranial window. The indicator GCaMP7f was selectively using adenoviral gene transfer cre mice. Air-puffs directed at contralateral whiskers or spontaneous motion induced transients 30.2±2.2% 51.6±3.3% neurons, respectively, local arteriolar dilation. greatest dilatation (14.8±1.1%) occurred when whisking simultaneously. individual dilation showed various degrees correlation, which strongest whole neuron ensemble examined. also found that some became active immediately prior dilation, while others were activated gradually after dilatation. Discrete subsets may either initiation maintenance response, suggesting previously unappreciated temporal specificity role neurovascular coupling.