Analysis of a potential new model for neurovascular coupling in retina and its relation to the retinal relaxing factor.

Neurovascular coupling is extensively studied in brain. However, much less is known about the neurovascular coupling in retina. Recently, we have observed that electrical field stimulation (EFS) of bovine retinal arteries surrounded by adherent retinal tissue elicits a rapid and reversible vasorelaxation. This can be due to the presence of retinal tissue. To confirm this hypothesis, we repeated the experiment on isolated bovine retinal arteries which were carefully cleaned of surrounding retinal tissue. No effect was seen on these preparations. These experiments suggest that this experimental set-up can be used as a potential in vitro model for investigating neurovascular coupling in retinal circulation. The aim of the present project is to characterize this vasorelaxing effect, which may lead to a better understanding of neurovascular coupling in retina.