Loss of Female Sex Hormones Exacerbates Cerebrovascular and Cognitive Dysfunction in Aortic Banded Miniswine Through a Neuropeptide Y–Ca ²⁺ ‐Activated Potassium Channel–Nitric Oxide Mediated Mechanism

Abstract

Mechanistically, impaired cerebral blood flow control in experimental heart failure may be the result of heightened neuropeptide Y-induced vasoconstriction along with reduced vasodilation associated with decreased Ca²⁺-activated potassium channel function and impaired nitric oxide signaling, the effects of which are exacerbated in the absence of female sex hormones.