Patterns of Cerebral Blood Flow and Systemic Hemodynamics During Arithmetic Processing

The present study explored modulations in cerebral blood flow and systemic hemodynamics during the execution of a mental calculation task in 41 healthy subjects. Time course and lateralization of blood flow velocities in the medial cerebral arteries of both hemispheres were assessed using functional...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychophysiology 2008-01, Vol.22 (2), p.81-90
Main Authors: Werner, Natalie, Kapan, Neval, Reyes del Paso, Gustavo A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Baroreceptors
Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular Reactivity
Cerebral Blood Flow
Cognitive Processes
Female
Homeostasis
Human
Male
Mathematics
Psychophysiology
Reflexes
Vasodilation
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Summary:The present study explored modulations in cerebral blood flow and systemic hemodynamics during the execution of a mental calculation task in 41 healthy subjects. Time course and lateralization of blood flow velocities in the medial cerebral arteries of both hemispheres were assessed using functional transcranial Doppler sonography. Indices of systemic hemodynamics were obtained using continuous blood pressure recordings. Doppler sonography revealed a biphasic left dominant rise in cerebral blood flow velocities during task execution. Systemic blood pressure increased, whereas heart period, heart period variability, and baroreflex sensitivity declined. Blood pressure and heart period proved predictive of the magnitude of the cerebral blood flow response, particularly of its initial component. Various physiological mechanisms may be assumed to be involved in cardiovascular adjustment to cognitive demands. While specific contributions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems may account for the observed pattern of systemic hemodynamics, flow metabolism coupling, fast neurogenic vasodilation, and cerebral autoregulation may be involved in mediating cerebral blood flow modulations. Furthermore, during conditions of high cardiovascular reactivity, systemic hemodynamic changes exert a marked influence on cerebral blood perfusion.
ISSN:0269-8803
2151-2124
DOI:10.1027/0269-8803.22.2.81