ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this research was to study the coupling between neural circuits and the vascular network in the cortex of small rodents from system engineering point of view and generate a mathematical model for the dynamics of neurovascular coupling. The model was adopted to implement closed-loop blood flow control algorithms. APPROACH: We used a combination of advanced technologies including optogenetics, electrocorticography, and optical coherence tomography to stimulate selected populations of neurons and simultaneously record induced electrocorticography and hemodynamic signals. We adopted system identification methods to analyze the acquired data and investigate the relation between optogenetic neural activation and consequential electrophysiology and blood flow responses. MAIN RESULTS: We showed that the developed model, once trained by the acquired data, could successfully regenerate subtle spatio-temporal features of evoked electrocorticography and cerebral blood flow responses following an onset of optogenetic stimulation. SIGNIFICANCE: The long term goal of this research is to open a new line for computational analysis of neurovascular coupling particularly in pathologies where the normal process of blood flow regulation in the central nervous system is disrupted including Alzheimer's disease.
