Blood Vessel Anatomy and Blood Flow Regulation

Description

Global brain blood flow decreases with advancing age; however, some adults have accelerated declines in brain blood flow, placing them at a greater risk of cognitive impairment. Similarly, brain reactivity to increased levels of carbon dioxide decreases with age, with a greater decline in adults with vascular risk factors and is impaired in early Alzheimer’s disease. Preclinical models suggest that reduced brain blood flow, results in low levels of oxygen regionally. Currently, there are a lack of human studies that investigate the cause or consequence of altered blood flow regulation in the brain.

The research aims are:

1. Determine the impact of vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) on brain reactivity to increased levels of carbon dioxide.
2. Determine the impact of VAH on the brain blood flow response to acute low levels of oxygen.