Sun Aug 17 00:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version of it as a news article, suitable for publication in The Hindu, considering its Indian perspective focus:

**Summary**

A new study published in the journal *Cell* has uncovered the mechanism behind the brain’s rapid neurovascular coupling, the process by which blood flow increases almost instantaneously to meet the energy demands of active neurons. Researchers have found that cells lining blood vessels in the brain are connected by gap junctions containing connexin proteins (Cx37 and Cx40). These junctions enable rapid communication between cells, allowing widening signals to quickly travel along artery walls to increase blood flow to active brain areas. Experiments on mice lacking these proteins demonstrated a significantly slower and weaker arterial response to brain activity. This discovery has implications for understanding brain energy efficiency, vascular problems, testing drugs, guiding therapies, and potentially addressing issues related to aging and small vessel diseases.

**News Article**

**Rapid Brain Response Linked to Vascular ‘Wiring’ System**

**Delhi, August 17, 2025:** Scientists have unlocked a key piece of the puzzle behind the brain’s remarkable ability to rapidly fuel its activities. A groundbreaking study, published in *Cell*, reveals how blood vessels almost instantly respond to the increased energy demands of active neurons, a process known as neurovascular coupling. The research sheds light on a previously mysterious communication network within the brain’s vascular system.

Led by Chengua Gu’s lab at Harvard University, the study focused on gap junctions – narrow portals connecting cells lining blood vessels. These junctions allow cells to exchange ions and small molecules, enabling rapid communication. Researchers discovered that connexin proteins (specifically Cx37 and Cx40) are highly concentrated in arteries and play a crucial role in transmitting vessel-widening signals.

The team demonstrated this through experiments on mice lacking Cx37 and Cx40. In these modified mice, the widening of arteries in response to brain activity was significantly slower and weaker than in healthy mice. This confirmed that gap junctions act as a vital “scaling mechanism” ensuring blood delivery matches the intensity of brain activity.

“This discovery provides a crucial understanding of how signals travel along vessel walls to widen upstream arteries, boosting blood flow to active brain areas,” commented University College London neuroscientist David Attwell.

**Implications for Brain Health and Treatment**

The findings have significant implications for understanding various aspects of brain health and developing new treatments. According to Boston University neuroscientist Anna Devor, this research allows for a better ability to link brain activity to blood flow through computer models. These models could aid in detecting vascular problems, virtually testing drugs, and guiding therapies, potentially in conjunction with artificial intelligence.

Researchers also suggest the study could offer insights into the impact of aging and small vessel diseases on brain blood flow. Further research is needed to explore whether interventions that boost connexin protein activity could improve brain function.

“Understanding the intricacies of the brain’s vascular network, particularly this rapid communication system, opens new avenues for developing targeted therapies and improving our understanding of brain diseases and aging,” explained Anirban Mukhopadhyay, a Delhi-based geneticist and science communicator. This study underscores the importance of not only neural activity, but also the complex interplay between neurons and blood vessels in maintaining optimal brain function.

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