Cerebral blood flow as a mechanistic framework across neurological disease

Journal article : Review

Impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral autoregulation are central features in a range of neurological conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, schizophrenia, ischaemic stroke, cerebral small vessel disease, vascular dementia, multiple sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases. By exploring the complex mechanisms of neurovascular dysfunction, such as endothelial cell damage, blood–brain barrier disruption, and altered neurovascular coupling, we highlight how these disruptions contribute to disease pathogenesis, progression, and clinical outcomes. The review underscores the significant challenges in managing these conditions, as current therapeutic options remain limited and often inadequate. We advocate for a shift towards targeted research focused on restoring cerebrovascular homeostasis, proposing that therapeutic modulation of CBF could mitigate disease progression and improve patient outcomes. This work aims to provide clinicians, researchers, and students with an integrated understanding of the intersection between vascular dysfunction and neurological disorders, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in treatment strategies. By synthesising contemporary research, we hope to inspire new avenues for translational research aimed at developing novel therapies for cerebrovascular-related neurological diseases.

Authors: Patel, S; Nischal, SA; Patel, NK

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Journal: Discover Neuroscience
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 1
• Article number: 44
• Publication date: 2026-06-01
• Acceptance date: 2026-05-07
• DOI: 10.1186/s13064-026-00269-2
• EISSN: 3005-1827
• ISSN: 3005-1827
• Language: English
• Keywords: Cerebrovascular circulation; Neurosurgery; Neurodegeneration; Autoregulation; Neurological disease; Neuropsychiatry
• Subtype: Review