The hypoxic brain: implications for breathing stability

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Blood flow to the brain needs to be tightly controlled because too much or too little blood flow can lead to unconsciousness, stroke, and impairment to breathing regulation. Sadly, the mechanisms by which the human body controls both brain blood flow and breathing are very poorly understood. This research aims to elucidate these mechanisms using high altitude as a means to alter oxygen supply to the brain. It is a fascinating phenomenon that breathing regulation in humans, especially during sleep, becomes severely unstable with ascent to high altitude. This makes it a convenient environment in which to pharmacologically manipulate brain blood flow in order to study the resultant changes to breathing control. Specifically this research aims (1) to elucidate these control mechanisms that are necessary for survival and yet are largely not understood, and also (2) to understand mammalian adaptation to hypoxic environments. These basic questions in human physiology are essential in the effort to treat and prevent age- and disease-associated declines in brain function, and diseases that effect breathing in humans.