A Lumped Parameter Model for Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation

Abstract

Dynamic changes in cerebral blood flow and the associated vascular responses accompanying posture change that enable the brain to maintain perfusion during hypotensive stress are not fully understood. The aim of this work is to use a lumped parameter model of cerebral blood flow to analyze changes in key parameters (systemic and cerebrovascular resistances) during posture change from sitting to standing. Such a model sheds light on vascular adaptation to hypotensive stress, and could ultimately help determine the changes in cerebral autoregulation that occur in aging, hypertension, and other clinical conditions.