TY - JOUR
T1 - Sympathetic control of the brain circulation
T2 - Appreciating the complexities to better understand the controversy
AU - Brassard, Patrice
AU - Tymko, Michael M.
AU - Ainslie, Philip N.
PY - 2017/11/1
Y1 - 2017/11/1
N2 - Although the human cerebral circulation is richly innervated with sympathetic nerve fibers, the role of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) on the regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) remains debated. Several issues may be responsible for the conflicting conclusions reported in the animal vs. human literature in regards to the sympathetic control of the brain circulation. Furthermore, due to the physiological consequences associated with SNA blockade (e.g. changes in blood pressure and cardiac output), and differences in methodology (e.g. assessment of CBF), interpretation of the role of SNA in CBF regulation in humans is challenging. The goals of this brief review are to provide an overview of the role of neural control in the regulation of CBF, with a focus on SNA and discuss the likely reasons behind the controversial influence of SNA on CBF regulation. A final objective of this article is to critically review the various methods available to measure CBF and highlight their strengths and weaknesses to provide insight in SNA regulation of CBF.
AB - Although the human cerebral circulation is richly innervated with sympathetic nerve fibers, the role of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) on the regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) remains debated. Several issues may be responsible for the conflicting conclusions reported in the animal vs. human literature in regards to the sympathetic control of the brain circulation. Furthermore, due to the physiological consequences associated with SNA blockade (e.g. changes in blood pressure and cardiac output), and differences in methodology (e.g. assessment of CBF), interpretation of the role of SNA in CBF regulation in humans is challenging. The goals of this brief review are to provide an overview of the role of neural control in the regulation of CBF, with a focus on SNA and discuss the likely reasons behind the controversial influence of SNA on CBF regulation. A final objective of this article is to critically review the various methods available to measure CBF and highlight their strengths and weaknesses to provide insight in SNA regulation of CBF.
KW - Brain circulation
KW - Cerebral blood flow regulation
KW - Neural control
KW - Sympathetic nerve activity
U2 - 10.1016/j.autneu.2017.05.003
DO - 10.1016/j.autneu.2017.05.003
M3 - Review article
C2 - 28506501
AN - SCOPUS:85019110408
VL - 207
SP - 37
EP - 47
JO - Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical
JF - Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical
SN - 1566-0702
ER -