Regulation of cerebral blood flow by temperature change-induced vasodilatation

摘要

A method for enhancing cerebral blood flow in a patient. The patient's baseline cerebral blood flow is measured. An artery of the patient is cooled or warmed to produce vasodilatation of the artery. The artery is typically one or more of the left or right common carotid artery, left or right internal carotid artery, left or right middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, left or right vertebral artery, or basilar artery. Vasodilatation enhances cerebral blood flow. The enhanced cerebral blood flow is measured after cooling or warming the artery. The enhanced cerebral blood flow is compared to the baseline cerebral blood flow. Cooling or warming is then adjusted as needed to achieve a desired enhancement in cerebral blood flow. Devices for cooling and warming are also described.