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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Paired Cisterna Magna Nanoinjection and Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging Assay to Study Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation In Vivo
Published on: July 8, 2025
Neurovascular coupling and distribution of cerebral blood flow during exercise
C K Willie1, E C Cowan, P N Ainslie
1Department of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada. ckwillie@gmail.com
Abstract:
We examined how cerebral blood flow velocity (CBV) and neurovascular coupling is influenced by exercise. Blood velocities in the posterior and middle cerebral arteries (PCAv and MCAv) during rest and cycling exercise at 60% estimated maximal oxygen consumption were measured. Neurovascular coupling was quantified as the ΔPCAv with visual stimulation. During exercise, despite a 15.2±13.6% and 26.1±22.5% increase from rest in the MCAv and PCAv, respectively, neurovascular coupling was unaltered. Thus, despite regionally heterogeneous elevations in CBV during exercise, neurometabolic coupling is maintained.
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