Effects of aging on cerebral blood flow: is there any change after stroke?

• Grant number: 16/20787-3
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal researcher: Angela Salomao Macedo Salinet
• Grantee: Nathália Camin Calixto Sarroche da Silva
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Despite the advances in this field, our understanding of the relationship between cerebral hemodynamics and structural changes in the aging brain is limited. We also know very little about the relationship between cerebral hemodynamics and clinical outcomes of structural brain disease. A better understanding of these relationships is an essential step towards identifying therapeutic targets and preventive strategies for age related cerebrovascular disease. This study aims to investigate the effect of aging and first ever stroke on the blood flow velocities of middle cerebral arteries (CBFV). Stroke participants will be recruited after a first ever episode of ischemic stroke within 24 hours of symptoms onset. Matched healthy controls with age >50 years will be recruited to aging group. It will be excluded participants with diabetes, hypertension and presence of >50% carotid artery stenosis. Recording of CBFV velocity using transcranial Doppler ultrasound will be performed during 5 min baseline. Beat-to-beat blood pressure and EtCO2 will be monitored to avoid systemic interference. We believe our study will show an important impairment of blood supply in the affected hemisphere when compared to either unaffected hemisphere or aging group. These findings are relevant to guide the timing of interventions to manipulate BP, and potentially for the impact of intensive rehabilitation strategies that may precipitate acute physiological perturbations. (AU)