Regulatory mechanisms of cerebral blood flow in humans

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Maintaining cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation is of critical importance for humans, both to preserve consciousness and enable healthy neural development. CBF control occurs via a series of regulatory processes broadly sorted into three facets: cerebral autoregulation (CA); neurovascular coupling (NVC); cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR). In contrast to the wealth of knowledge on adult males in these areas, there is very limited literature with respect to adolescent populations, biological sex and cardiorespiratory fitness level comparisons across all ages. It is also relatively unknown how a bout of exercise actively influences CA, NVC and CVR regulatory mechanisms. The LONG-TERM VISION of my research program is to better understand these fundamental CBF regulatory processes throughout the pediatric-to-adult aging process in males and females. In addition, my research program will examine the influence exercise has upon this measures both in terms of acute bouts as well as the chronic impact related to cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Over the next five-years, my lab will address three short-term research objectives: The first SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE will be to quantify the CA, NVC and CVR mechanisms across the adolescence developmental period in both males and females. Overall CBF decreases from ~10 years to adulthood, however the specific mechanisms underlying this reduction remain unclear. Results from my research group will provide insight into the underlying factors affecting CBF regulation throughout adolescence. The second SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE will identify the extent various forms and intensities of acute exercise bouts has upon the CA, NVC and CVR responses across the healthy aging spectrum. Virtually all CBF based studies include a statement for subjects to abstain from exercise for a period of 12-24 hours prior to participating, yet there is no empirical evidence in the literature demonstrating exercise alters CA, NVC and CVR mechanisms to validate this common assumption. My research group will identify the duration a bout of exercise affects CBF regulatory mechanisms. The final SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVE will be to identify the influence various cardiovascular fitness levels affect the CA, NVC and CVR responses across the healthy aging spectrum within both male and female biological sexes. Historically, this research field has overlooked these even though both biological sex and cardiovascular fitness levels have profound impacts on cardiovascular physiology (e.g. glucose tolerance, blood pressure control, neurofeedback control). This objective will identify the contributing roles sex and cardiovascular fitness have on CBF regulatory mechanisms. Overall the vision for my research group is to aid in furthering our comprehension of healthy human brain development and the broader implications of acute and chronic exercise training on this fundamental process.