Fig. 1

Diagrammatic representation of a neurovascular unit (NVU). NVU consisting of vascular cells, glial cells and neurons are shown in a, and the enlarged view of the inset is given in b. Endothelial cells (red), pericytes (blue), and smooth muscle cells (pale green) represent the vascular cells. The glia cells are given in dark green (astrocytes), and blue (oligodendrocytes), yellow (microglia) and the neurons in pink color. Tight junctions connecting the endothelial cells are also shown in b