
07/17/2025
How Brain Blood Flows to Power Your Thoughts
Although the brain accounts for just 2% of body weight, it consumes 20% of its energy, requiring a fast, efficient blood allocation system.
New research reveals that endothelial cells create a “communication highway” via gap junctions to direct blood flow to the right places in real time.
This elegant mechanism helps maintain cognitive performance while conserving energy.
The same system seems to falter in neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to cognitive decline.
The study also highlights potential for improving the interpretation of brain imaging tools like fMRI.
By uncovering this key mechanism, scientists may develop therapies that target blood flow regulation in the brain.