A mathematical model of the vascular conducted response
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The vascular conducted response (VCR) is an electrical signal propagated along the walls of small blood vessels independent of blood flow direction or perivascular nerves. VCRs are thought to be essential in signaling changes in oxygen demand of local tissue to distal upstream arterioles, allowing for coordinated adjustments in vessel diameter along the entire flow pathway. However, the properties and driving mechanisms of VCRs are not well understood. Recent research suggests potassium inward rectifier (Kir) channels play a significant role in extending conduction distance. Here, we present a mathematical model of the VCR investigating the effects of Kir expression on signal behavior. This work is supervised by Dr. Timothy Secomb.