On the Role of Vascularization in Pathoconnectomics

Abstract

In recent years, pathoconnectomics emerged as an interesting framework for the investigation and better comprehension of disorders affecting the brain. Research in this field has used so far structural, functional, metabolic and genetic data, but limited attention was addressed to the possible role of vascularization. In the present work the following aspects making it a valuable candidate to pathoconnectomics investigation are discussed: i) The vascular system is by its nature a network, endowed with directionality information on the basis of circulation; ii) The current imaging techniques allow in vivo detection of the vascular system to a good level of detail; iii) The information extracted from this kind of data could interact in a meaningful way with the functional profile of the brain, being the BOLD effect in turn based on blood flow; iv) Further evidence could be found in support of the trophic failure hypothesis; v) Data about vascularization could allow to bring in the pathoconnectomics framework cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. We suggest, therefore, that the evaluation of vascular connectivity (which we propose to name “vesselomics”) could enhance the pathoconnectomics paradigm, and provide new elements towards the understanding of brain pathology.