[Rheoencephalographic studies in a group of 102 healthy persons]

Rheoencephalographic (REG) investigations were carried out in a group of 44 women and 58 men aged from 18 to 67 years. It was found that the amplitude of REG waves on the group of women was significantly smaller than in men. A characteristic tendency was observed with progressing age of the subjects for a decrease of the amplitude of REG waves with prolongation of the duration of the ascending arm of the wave and with an increase in the value of the dicrotic index, as well as a decrease in the value of the angle of inclination of this ascending arm to the base. Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels was a factor contributing significantly to progression of these changes. On the basis of visual analysis three main types of REG waves were isolated which corresponded to successive phases of elasticity loss of brain vessel walls. The authors suggest accepting the value of 10--90 centile of the determined values of REG wave parameters as the range of normal values for different age groups and the type of REG apparatus used.