Pericytes, vascular mural cells embedded in the basement membrane of blood microvessels, play a crucial role in the neurovascular unit (NVU) within the central nervous system (CNS). They integrate signals from endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons to regulate various functions essential for CNS health and disease, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, angiogenesis, clearance of toxic metabolites, capillary hemodynamic responses, neuroinflammation, and stem cell activity. Key signaling pathways between pericytes and their neighbors, such as the PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ, TGF-β/TGFβR2, Notch, VEGF-A/VEGFR2, Ang/Tie2, MFSD2A, ephrin/Eph, and arachidonic acid (AA) pathways, are discussed. These pathways control pericyte functions and contribute to neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, and rare monogenic diseases. Future research directions include characterizing pericyte subtypes, understanding their roles in specific diseases, and developing therapeutic targets for pericyte dysfunction. Systems biology approaches, combining computational modeling and high-throughput screening, are expected to advance the discovery of novel therapeutics for neurological disorders.Pericytes, vascular mural cells embedded in the basement membrane of blood microvessels, play a crucial role in the neurovascular unit (NVU) within the central nervous system (CNS). They integrate signals from endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons to regulate various functions essential for CNS health and disease, including blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, angiogenesis, clearance of toxic metabolites, capillary hemodynamic responses, neuroinflammation, and stem cell activity. Key signaling pathways between pericytes and their neighbors, such as the PDGF-BB/PDGFRβ, TGF-β/TGFβR2, Notch, VEGF-A/VEGFR2, Ang/Tie2, MFSD2A, ephrin/Eph, and arachidonic acid (AA) pathways, are discussed. These pathways control pericyte functions and contribute to neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, and rare monogenic diseases. Future research directions include characterizing pericyte subtypes, understanding their roles in specific diseases, and developing therapeutic targets for pericyte dysfunction. Systems biology approaches, combining computational modeling and high-throughput screening, are expected to advance the discovery of novel therapeutics for neurological disorders.