Fig. 1.

Illustration of neurovascular coupling and the onsets of neuronal activation, neuronal cell dynamics, and vessel wall dynamics. Upon brain activation, the neuron generates an action potential (a) that leads to a deformation of the neuron cell body that potentially relates to the exchange of ions through the cell membrane. (b) The onset of this neuronal cell dynamics occurs on the order of 100 ms timescale. Meanwhile, the neuron sends the signal mediated by astrocytes and pericytes to trigger blood vessel wall dilation. (c) The blood vessel wall movement leads to hemodynamic changes in the CBV and CBF. Such neurovascular coupling dynamics contribute to motions that, in principle, could be picked up by the DCS signal.