Cerebral blood flow adaptations following 90 days head-down bed rest: Evidence from pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging.

ABSTRACT: Prolonged microgravity exposure disrupts cerebral hemodynamic homeostasis, yet longitudinal cerebral blood flow (CBF) adaptation remains poorly understood. This study investigated CBF changes under 90 days head-down bed rest (HDBR) in 36 healthy adults using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI. Analyses included region-of-interest (global/regional CBF) and voxel-based whole-brain assessments, alongside physiological correlations. Results demonstrated stable global CBF after HDBR but revealed distinct microcirculatory redistribution: the vertebrobasilar (VB) territory exhibited significant perfusion increases, while voxel-based analysis identified elevated CBF in the left fusiform gyrus and reduced perfusion in the right superior frontal gyrus, middle cingulate gyrus, and H

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12815634 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature