Catherine Hall
@cathnaledi.bsky.social
Professor of Neurovascular stuff at Sussex Uni and UCL. My lab researches how the brain controls its blood flow.
Also at @catherinenhall@mas.to and @cathnaledi on what-was-Twitter
Also at @catherinenhall@mas.to and @cathnaledi on what-was-Twitter
Cheviots and many breaths of fresh air!!
October 27, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Cheviots and many breaths of fresh air!!
So neurovascular coupling is more immediately sensitive to physical activity level - but maybe changes in basal neurovascular function take longer to develop? Better keep up that exercise routine (she says, hypocritically)!
Anyway thanks again team and to you for reading!
Anyway thanks again team and to you for reading!
January 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
So neurovascular coupling is more immediately sensitive to physical activity level - but maybe changes in basal neurovascular function take longer to develop? Better keep up that exercise routine (she says, hypocritically)!
Anyway thanks again team and to you for reading!
Anyway thanks again team and to you for reading!
Secondly, neurovascular coupling (how well blood vessels respond to active neurons) is well correlated with the amount of exercise, even from the first time point we measured. Conversely measures of baseline function only became correlated with exercise level later on.
January 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Secondly, neurovascular coupling (how well blood vessels respond to active neurons) is well correlated with the amount of exercise, even from the first time point we measured. Conversely measures of baseline function only became correlated with exercise level later on.
Firstly, exercise increases vessel diameters by pericytes - suggesting it dilates them!
January 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Firstly, exercise increases vessel diameters by pericytes - suggesting it dilates them!
But what it does suggest, is that exercise might particularly protect APOE4 carriers by protecting neurovascular function. So let's all go to the gym!
January 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
But what it does suggest, is that exercise might particularly protect APOE4 carriers by protecting neurovascular function. So let's all go to the gym!
In sedentary APOE4 mice, neurons can't increase their blood flow very well when neurons are active - over time could this mean neurons don't get enough energy, promoting Alzheimer's disease?
January 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
In sedentary APOE4 mice, neurons can't increase their blood flow very well when neurons are active - over time could this mean neurons don't get enough energy, promoting Alzheimer's disease?
And the reduction in neurovascular function in these APOE4 sedentary mice was biggest when neurons were active - when they are using more energy so need more blood flow. So there's a bigger effect when the system is under pressure.
January 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
And the reduction in neurovascular function in these APOE4 sedentary mice was biggest when neurons were active - when they are using more energy so need more blood flow. So there's a bigger effect when the system is under pressure.
But mice with the genetic risk factor for AD - APOE4 - were especially sensitive to exercise. The worst neurovascular function was consistently seen in APOE4 sedentary mice.
January 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
But mice with the genetic risk factor for AD - APOE4 - were especially sensitive to exercise. The worst neurovascular function was consistently seen in APOE4 sedentary mice.
She measured *loads* of different aspects of neuronal and vascular function (e.g. calcium signals in neurons, blood flow, blood oxygen, how well different vessels dilate) Generally more active mice had better neurovascular function, and less active mice had worse.
January 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
She measured *loads* of different aspects of neuronal and vascular function (e.g. calcium signals in neurons, blood flow, blood oxygen, how well different vessels dilate) Generally more active mice had better neurovascular function, and less active mice had worse.
Silvia tested this by comparing neurovascular function in APOE4 (increased AD risk) and APOE3 (normal AD risk) mice but in some mice she took their exercise wheel away!! These mice were indeed less active.
January 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Silvia tested this by comparing neurovascular function in APOE4 (increased AD risk) and APOE3 (normal AD risk) mice but in some mice she took their exercise wheel away!! These mice were indeed less active.
But others studying anaesthetised mice found big effects of APOE4 on blood vessels. Why the difference? Well, Orla's mice were super-fit and healthy with an exercise wheel in their cage. Exercise protects from dementia - were Orla's mice' blood vessels protected?
January 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
But others studying anaesthetised mice found big effects of APOE4 on blood vessels. Why the difference? Well, Orla's mice were super-fit and healthy with an exercise wheel in their cage. Exercise protects from dementia - were Orla's mice' blood vessels protected?
UPDATE!! We have spent a long time fashioning bits with floristry wire!
December 15, 2024 at 10:13 PM
UPDATE!! We have spent a long time fashioning bits with floristry wire!
Classic Christmas.
December 15, 2024 at 6:15 PM
Classic Christmas.
Oh lovely Rye (and harbour) ….
December 11, 2024 at 10:34 PM
Oh lovely Rye (and harbour) ….
And finally Svetlana Mastitskaya is talking about Starling forces and control of blood flow (yeay!) in the heart.
November 28, 2024 at 4:54 PM
And finally Svetlana Mastitskaya is talking about Starling forces and control of blood flow (yeay!) in the heart.
Now Dan Brayson is teaching us about Starling’s work on regulation of heart contractility and what we’ve learnt since then - including his own work on prelaminA.
November 28, 2024 at 4:38 PM
Now Dan Brayson is teaching us about Starling’s work on regulation of heart contractility and what we’ve learnt since then - including his own work on prelaminA.
Fun to be at UCL celebrating Ernest Starling’s contribution to physiology with the Physiological Society @physoc.bsky.social . He’s got a lovely new blue plaque!
November 28, 2024 at 3:48 PM
Fun to be at UCL celebrating Ernest Starling’s contribution to physiology with the Physiological Society @physoc.bsky.social . He’s got a lovely new blue plaque!
Whoop beer flight!! #thornbridgebrewery
August 19, 2024 at 4:49 PM
Whoop beer flight!! #thornbridgebrewery
Bronze age rock art in the Simonside hills. #northumberland #wildbeauty
August 14, 2024 at 8:22 PM
Bronze age rock art in the Simonside hills. #northumberland #wildbeauty
It’s all over for me.
August 8, 2024 at 12:14 PM
It’s all over for me.
How much longer will the school holidays go on? I am outmanned, outgunned and the rules of engagement constantly change!
August 8, 2024 at 11:56 AM
How much longer will the school holidays go on? I am outmanned, outgunned and the rules of engagement constantly change!