title: Cerebrovascular responses to altitude.
abstract: The regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a complex process that is altered significantly with altitude exposure. Acute exposure produces a marked increase in CBF, in proportion to the severity of the hypoxia and mitigated by hyperventilation-induced hypocapnia when CO(2) is uncontrolled. A number of mediators contribute to the hypoxia-induced cerebral vasodilation, including adenosine, potassium channels, substance P, prostaglandins, and NO. Upon acclimatization to altitude, CBF returns towards normal sea-level values in subsequent days and weeks, mediated by a progressive increase in PO2, first through hyperventilation followed by erythropoiesis. With long-term altitude exposure, a number of mechanisms play a role in regulating CBF, including acid-base balance, hematological modifications, and angiogenesis. Finally, several cerebrovascular disorders are associated with altitude exposure. Existing gaps in our knowledge of CBF and altitude, and areas of future investigation include effects of longer exposures, intermittent hypoxia, and gender differences in the CBF responses to altitude.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
authors.forename: Julien V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Brugniaux
authors.forename: Alastair N H
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hanly
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Poulin
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen