Characterising the protective vasodilatory effects of hypobaric hypoxia on the neurovascular coupling response.

ABSTRACT: Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the link between local neuronal activity and regional cerebral blood flow. High altitude (HA) ascent induces acute hypoxic vasodilation of the cerebral vasculature, with associated changes in CO₂ and acid-base status. We aimed to characterise the effects of (a) acute removal of the HA-induced vasodilation and (b) rapid ascent to and residency at HA on NVC responses. In twelve healthy participants (7 M/5F), arterial blood gases and NVC were measured at baseline (1130 m) and on days two (<24 h at HA) and nine (post-acclimatisation) at 3800 m. Acute gas challenges were performed using end-tidal forcing, with (a) normoxia and isocapnic hypoxia at 1130 m and (b) poikilocapnic hypoxia and isocapnic hyperoxia on days two and nine at 3800 m. Posterior cer

SUBMITTER: Leacy JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11907632 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature