Computational Neuroscience Seminar

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A Mathematical Model of Neuronal Regulation of Arteriolar Blood Flow in the Mouse Brain

Speaker: Guanhua Sun, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences (CIMS)

Location: Warren Weaver Hall 1314

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 12:45 p.m.

Synopsis:

The brain lacks internal energy reserves, leaving neurons entirely dependent on continuous cerebral blood flow. Because even seconds of ischemia can cause irreversible tissue damage, neurons must be able to acutely regulate local blood flow to meet their fluctuating metabolic demands. However, the exact mechanisms driving this vital regulation remain largely unknown.

In this talk, I will introduce a mathematical model of neuronal arteriolar blood flow regulation in the mouse brain. By integrating neuronal, neurovascular, and mechanical systems, the model successfully reproduces experimental observations of flow regulation in the barrel-field cortex. We utilize this framework to predict arteriolar dilation in response to varying stimulus frequencies and durations, and to investigate the impact of arteriolar pathologies on these regulatory mechanisms. Finally, I will demonstrate how bridging this framework with other neuronal models, such as those modeling sleep, enables broader predictions of cerebral hemodynamics across different brain states.