What is NeuroVascular Coupling?

Neuro refers to brain cells, also known as Neurons; Vascular means the blood supply or blood flow which is the same as the vascular system; and Coupling means connection. NeuroVascular Coupling (NVC) is the connection between neurons and their vascular supply, which is their energy source required to function properly.

Essentially NVC is what allows the brain to work and function. This coupling controls the blood flow to the brain and gives the neurons the energy to send and receive messages. Without these nutrients and oxygen regulated by NVC the brain would not work properly.

Why is NeuroVascular Coupling Important?

When NeuroVascular Coupling in the brain is damaged, it can be very hard to re-establish this coupling. We call this NeuroVascular Coupling dysfunction, which means that the connection between the blood flow and the neurons has changed and is not working very well, or as well as it used to before the injury. After a head injury or a concussion, it is very typical that this coupling is not working correctly, which can result in many of the typical concussion symptoms.

When the brain is injured and it is unable to regulate blood flow, it can cause fatigue and exhaustion–along with headaches, slow thinking, brain fog, and many other symptoms.

When the brain can’t regulate the blood flow it needs, it will use a lot more energy because the brain is trying to perform the work it used to but can’t because NeuroVascular Coupling is damaged. This damage makes it hard for the neurons to get the energy and nutrients they need, and that means many regions are not working efficiently. 

Typically, each patient will have many brain areas that are working too hard, and other areas that are not working hard enough. The brain works better when each region is doing its job well, and keeping the balance between working too hard and not working hard enough. If a brain region is not doing their job, than other brain regions have to kick in and try to help.

NeruoVascular Coupling Restoration for Real Improvement

After an injury, the brain is doing its best to work properly, but it is mostly compensating for the injury and the areas where the NeuroVascular Coupling is damaged. While it is trying to do its best with what it can, it is still not working correctly. The only way to overcome this dysfunction is to go through a treatment protocol designed to restore NeuroVascular Coupling.  

Our EPIC Treatment program aims to help the brain restore NeuroVascular Coupling. Because of fNCI Technology, we can understand which brain regions are not working properly, and our team can target these areas to re-establish NeuroVascular Coupling.