Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the connection between brain cells (neurons) and blood vessels (vascular). In a healthy brain, there is a very efficient system that delivers blood to the exact region of the brain that is being used at the time. NVC helps the brain sustain an activity, by providing additional blood to brain cells so they can continue working. For example, while reading, the brain will send additional blood to the visual and language regions of the brain so that there is enough oxygen and nutrients for those neurons to continue doing their job.
Many of the jobs that a brain cell does require it to work steadily over long durations. If it doesn’t receive a steady supply of fresh, oxygenated blood, it will stop working until it is resupplied. When fresh oxygen is not consistently and accurately supplying the brain, it is called dysregulation in neurovascular coupling.
Neurovascular coupling dysregulation is one of the root causes of concussion symptoms. After a head injury, NVC stops working as it should, and many parts of the brain lose the ability to take on the workload that is required of them. We measure dysregulation in NVC through the fNCI.
To rehabilitate the brain after
Physical exercise is important to prepare the brain in a way that conditions the vessels of the brain and regulates systems in the brain that respond to stress, so that brain cells have an opportunity to participate in healthy rehabilitation. Cognitive and motor exercises are done to target the parts of the brain that are experiencing dysregulation in NVC, as determined by the fNCI. By combining these two types of exercise throughout the week, we consistently see that healthy neurovascular coupling is restored. This restoration of healthy NVC reduces concussion symptoms.
When neurovascular coupling (NVC) is not at full capacity in some brain areas, other areas must step in to pick up the workload. This is one way the brain adapts to accomplish what it needs to accomplish to the best of its ability. However, this is not very efficient and those struggling with NVC dysregulation feel the toll it takes on the brain to compensate like this.
A good way to visualize this concept in the brain is by giving a real-life example. Imagine you are trying to get to your favorite restaurant that is on the other side of a large river. If the NVC in your brain isn’t working, it would be like the bridge to cross the river was shut down and you couldn’t use it anymore. So instead, you have to drive another 15 miles north of where you live, cross the next bridge, and then drive back down the 15 miles to get to the restaurant. The brains of those struggling with a concussion and other brain injuries are constantly compensating for dysregulated NVC. It is not an effective use of time, and if you wanted to eat at your favorite restaurant every single day eventually you would be frustrated and annoyed that the bridge was out. This is a pretty similar experience for those who are living with post-concussion symptoms and NVC dysregulation.
“Understanding how neurovascular coupling is involved in concussion and other neurological disorders has empowered us to effectively treat concussion in a short period of time, even for those who have lived with concussion symptoms for months to years. ”
Dr. Mark Allen
Neuroscientist
