Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Drives Cerebrovascular Reserve Failure and End-Organ Brain Injury
Takahiko Imai, Vijai Krishnan, James Han Lai, Elyssa Alber, Lydia Hawley, Aarushi Gandhi, Pazhanichamy Kalailingam, Joanna Yang, Diana Tambala, David Hike, Xiaoqing Alice Zhou, C.K. Fong, Benjamin Ondeck, Emily Da Cruz, Xiaochen Liu, , David Y. Chung
This study shows that smooth muscle dysfunction caused by ACTA2 mutations leads to cerebrovascular reserve failure, increasing brain vulnerability to hypoperfusion and injury.
bioRxiv · Jan 26, 2026 · PreprintPhysiology