Cerebral Hemodynamics

The brain is a highly metabolically active organ that requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function properly. This book chapter on cerebral hemodynamics provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological principles underlying the regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF). This chapter covers topics ranging from the basics of CBF control mechanisms to the changes that occur in various conditions of health and disease. The first section of this chapter describes the unique anatomy and physiology of the cerebral circulation. The second section includes the regulatory mechanisms that maintain CBF homeostasis. The third section briefly discusses the alterations in CBF in health (aging, posture and exercise) and disease states. The chapter concludes with the potential future directions for this field.