Prostanoids: Intrinsic Modulators of Cerebral Circulation

Prostanoids are important autocrine/paracrine modulators of the cerebral circulation. They can directly affect vascular smooth muscle by activating second messenger pathways leading to changes in vascular tone. They also can have more indirect effects: modifying responses of vascular smooth muscle to other stimuli and providing critical intercellular communication for coordinated vascular responses to important physiological stimuli.