Arterial baroreflex regulation of cerebral blood flow in humans

Abstract

The arterial baroreflex plays an essential role in the short-term regulation of arterial blood pressure, and thus helps ensure that the vital organs are adequately perfused. For standing humans, appropriate arterial baroreflex control of cardiac output and vasomotor tone are particularly important for cerebral blood flow regulation. However, the numerous mechanisms implicated in the regulation of the cerebral vasculature (e.g. cerebral autoregulation, carbon dioxide reactivity) mean that the precise nature of the direct and indirect effects of the arterial baroreflex on cerebral blood flow regulation are highly complex and remain incompletely understood. This review paper provides an update on recent insights into the influence of the arterial baroreflex on cerebral circulation.

Keywords

• arterial blood pressure
• cardiac output
• cerebral autoregulation
• cerebral co2 reactivity
• autonomic nervous system