Development of zebrafish and computational models of neurovascular coupling in health and disease

In this thesis, I have developed a novel zebrafish model of neurovascular coupling. Combining lightsheet imaging, compound transgenic zebrafish models and custom MATLAB based analysis pipelines, I characterised the neurovascular responses (neuronal calcium increases and change in red blood cell speed) in the optic tectum in response to visual stimulation. I determined the development stage at which neurovascular coupling in zebrafish larvae develops, followed by testing the requirement for nitric oxide or astrocyte cyclo-oxygenase in my model. I then used this model to investigate factors influencing neurovascular function. I first characterized the effect of glucose exposure and the role of nitric oxide in modulating neurovascular coupling. I then examined the effect of genetic mutation of Guanosine Triphosphate cyclohydrolase (an enzyme involved in nitric oxide and dopamine production in the brain) on neurovascular coupling. Finally, I have developed a minimal mathematical model of the neurovascular unit. To demonstrate the potential of this model I have simulated the effect of high blood glucose and low nitric oxide on neurovascular coupling and show this conforms with experimental data obtained in zebrafish.