He Zhidong, Sun Jing
Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No. 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun 130031, Jilin, China.
Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, No. 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun 130031, Jilin, China..
Neurobiol Dis. 2025 Jan;204:106772. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106772. Epub 2024 Dec 20.
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a progressive cognitive impairment caused by cerebrovascular disease or vascular risk factors. It is the second most common type of cognitive impairment after Alzheimer's disease. The pathogenesis of VCI is complex, and neurovascular unit destruction is one of its important mechanisms. The neurovascular unit (NVU) is responsible for combining blood flow with brain activity and includes endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes and many regulatory nerve terminals. The concept of an NVU emphasizes that interactions between different types of cells are essential for maintaining brain homeostasis. A stable NVU is the basis of normal brain function. Therefore, understanding the structure and function of the neurovascular unit and its role in VCI development is crucial for gaining insights into its pathogenesis. This article reviews the structure and function of the neurovascular unit and its contribution to VCI, providing valuable information for early diagnosis and prevention.
血管性认知障碍（VCI）是一种由脑血管疾病或血管危险因素引起的进行性认知障碍。它是仅次于阿尔茨海默病的第二常见的认知障碍类型。VCI的发病机制复杂，神经血管单元破坏是其重要机制之一。神经血管单元（NVU）负责将血流与脑活动相结合，包括内皮细胞、周细胞、星形胶质细胞和许多调节性神经末梢。NVU的概念强调不同类型细胞之间的相互作用对于维持脑内环境稳定至关重要。稳定的NVU是正常脑功能的基础。因此，了解神经血管单元的结构和功能及其在VCI发生发展中的作用对于深入了解其发病机制至关重要。本文综述了神经血管单元的结构和功能及其对VCI的影响，为早期诊断和预防提供有价值的信息。
