Non-invasive evaluation of neurovascular coupling in the murine retina by dynamic retinal vessel analysis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204689
• Publication Date: 2018-10-04T18:18:33Z
• Authors: Walid Albanna; Konstantin Kotliar; Jan Niklas Lüke; Serdar Alpdogan; Catharina Conzen; Ute Lindauer; Hans Clusmann; Jürgen Hescheler; Walthard Vilser; Toni Schneider; Gerrit Alexander ...
• Keywords: Neurovascular bundle; Electroretinography

Background Impairment of neurovascular coupling (NVC) was recently reported in the context subarachnoid hemorrhage and may correlate with disease severity outcome. However, previous techniques to evaluate NVC required invasive procedures. Retinal vessels represent an alternative option for non-invasive assessment NVC. Methods A prototype adapted retinal vessel analyzer used assess diameter mice. Dynamic analysis (DVA) included application monochromatic flicker light impulses predefined frequencies evaluating All retinae were harvested after DVA electroretinograms performed. Results total 104 scans conducted 21 male mice (90 scans). Quantitative arterial recordings feasible only a minority animals, showing emphasized reaction (8 mice; 14 characteristic venous response light, however, could observed majority animals. Repeated measurements resulted significant decrease baseline (7 7 scans, p < 0.05). Ex-vivo electroretinograms, performed in-vivo DVA, demonstrated reduction transretinal signaling animals repeated (n = 6, 0.001). Conclusions To best our knowledge, this is first study assessing murine changes The imaging system can be basic research enables investigation dimension function control genetically modified