Massively parallel simulations of neurovascular coupling with extracellular diffusion

A numerical neurovascular coupling (NVC) model containing a vascular H-tree coupled with multiple neurovascular units (NVUs) comprising a cerebral tissue slice is extended via extracellular potassium diffusion, allowing for direct communication between adjacent NVUs. The model simulates NVC on the macro scale in a parallel environment using high performance computing. A localised neuronal stimulation results in vasodilation with a decreasing gradient in vessel radius from the stimulated to non-stimulated area. The dilation remains sufficiently spatially localised over larger time scales. During vasomotion, there is emergent behaviour in the form of waves of increased vessel radius moving towards the stimulated area.