Neuropeptides in Human Cerebral Arteries

Four major mechanisms are considered the prime regulators of the cerebral circulation: metabolic, myogenic, chemical and neurogenic. In addition, recent studies have also suggested that the endothelium may have an important role in the regulation of cerebral blood flow.’ For the past two decades, the neurogenic mecha-nisms that evoke vasomotor effects have been our main field of research. However, more recently, the putative influence of the endothelium has also attracted our attention.