BLOOD BRAIN FLOW:
To support its high oxygen and glucose needs, the brain has an extensive vascular supply and a very efficient blood-blow regulation system. Normal blood flow to the brain is fairly high (750ml/min), amounting to 15% of the body’s. Blood flow in different brain regions is regulated by poorly understood local (intrinsic to the brain) factors. In general, increase in neural activity in a particular brain area results in a rapid increase in local blood flow in that area, presumably to supply the excess needs for oxygen and glucose and to remove the excess metabolites (acid and carbon dioxide).
In part 3, I will be discussing BLOOD FLOW AND LOCALIZATION OF BRAIN FUNCTION.
Daryl Conant, M.Ed.