'Housekeeper' cells maintain healthy brains

A star-shaped brain cell helps blood pressure and blood flow inside the brain maintain a healthy status quo, a new study has found.
The finger-like appendages of astrocytes, called 'endfeet', wrap around the countless blood vessels in the brain, and constantly monitor what is going on inside and around them, researchers said.
Dr Jessica A Filosa, neurovascular physiologist in the Department of Physiology at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University calls astrocytes "housekeepers".
The researchers found that when astrocytes sense a change in blood pressure inside the parenchymal arterioles, they release signals that help dilate or constrict the blood vessels, to maintain a healthy status quo.

"This is the first evidence of the astrocyte's role in pressure-induced myogenic (muscle) tone, which is keeping things regular," said Filosa.
Astrocytes keep their fingers on the pulse of blood vessels and neurons simultaneously, playing an important role in balancing their needs.

"They are perfect bridges between what is going on with neuronal activity and blood flow changes to the brain," Filosa said.
The study suggests that, even if the neurons are not in need of an adjustment to accommodate a changing demand for energy and oxygen, astrocytes relentlessly monitor and respond to changes in pressure in the parenchymal arterioles to help keep the brain from getting too much blood.

The research was published in The Journal of Neuroscience.